Literary, social works of MK Binodini recounted at Delhi event
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 17 2022:
Cultural luminaries, political and corporate leaders, and invitees from the northeast Indian community converged at the UNESCO auditorium in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, to highlight the contributions and legacy of late Manipuri writer MK Binodini Devi on Friday.
Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO, New Delhi, Dr Hezekiel Dlamini, who is also Imasi Foundation's collaborating partner for The Listener Festival of Literature that will be held in early February 2023, spoke on the importance of the festival.
Recalling UNESCO, New Delhi's past work with Imasi Foundation and IGNCA on training archivists from NER of India, he encouraged Imasi Foundation to continue this vital work.
Guest of honour Aneish Rajan, Director, Ministry of Culture and secretary-in-charge of Sangeet Natak Akademi, also a collaborating partner on the The Listener, spoke on the performance heritage that is oral literature and the unique concept of the festival that puts the audience - the listener - centre stage.
In his address, professor Dr Ramesh Gaur, Director of the National School of Drama and head of Kala Nidhi at IGNCA, urged Imasi Foundation to think of starting a literary museum, along the lines of the resolution of the Paris conference he had just come from and promised support for this as well as the festival of oral literature.
Meanwhile, Dr Lorho S Pfoze described movingly the tiny linguistic tribes in Manipur and NER.
He talked about his conversations on the subject with fellow MPs from Sikkim and Assam.
Union minister of state for culture and external affairs Meenakshi Lekhi sent her message as the chief guest as she was running late.
The message was a well-rounded eulogy of the work and legacy of MK Binodini Devi.
Pena artiste M Mangangsana paid tribute to MK Binodini Devi's contribution to Manipuri dance while she was the secretary of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy by rendering traditional oral ballads.
He was joined later by dancers and drummers from Panthoibi Jagoi Marup for a performance of Maibi dances to the accompaniment of his Pena.
L Somi Roy, founder and chairman of Imasi Foundation, spoke about his mother's works.
All VIPs were given copies of Penguin's special 35th anniversary hardback edition of The Princess and the Political Agent, Roy's translation of MK Binodini Devi's Sahitya Akademi Award winning historical novel, as well as the monograph on MK Binodini Devi that he has written for Sahitya Akademi.
He was joined by L Radhakanta Roy, trustee, and Satyajit Aribam, Advisory Council member of Imasi Foundation.
Consulting advisers Atul Dev Sarmah of fiscal partner MMGLD, and Sanjeev Behari were pivotal in putting the event together, with Behari also delivering the vote of thanks.