State Drama Festival kicks off with 'Ngambong Khao'
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, February 18 2014 :
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Tuesday opened the 29th All Manipur Drama Festival 2013-14 at Chandrakriti Auditorium here in Palace Compound.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Ibobi stated that art, culture, and literature are the mirror of the society because of this Manipur is known by the world' .
He said Manipur society has diverse language, culture, tradition, and religion inherited from the forefathers ensuring endless peace and harmony among the various ethnic groups in the state.
The Chief Minister said though performing arts like Shumang Leela (courtyard play) and drama are financially viable source of artistes, they really tries to express the bad and good of a society in the form of plays to bring the people on the true path.
He said the festival is the meeting point of many creative dreamers, playwrights, directors, artistes, actors, actress, and designers of the state where they can share their knowledge, ideas, views through interaction.
H Kanhailal, Sangeet Natak Akademi fellow and several playwrights, artistes, and many others were also present at the function.
The 23-day long festival is organised by Manipur State Kala Akademi to mark 100th birth anniversary of eminent Manipuri playwright GC Tongbra.
Ngambong Khao, a play written by Tongbra was staged on the opening day of the festival.
Altogether 20 different theatrical groups will stage various plays by Tongbra at the event.