Nominal festivals can't preserve art forms: Bilash
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 04 2022:
JNMDA director P Bilash has stated that merely organising festivals will not help in preservation of the various rare art forms of the state.
He made the statement while speaking as chief guest of the valedictory function of a 15-day workshop on Nupa Khubak Eshei' organised by Eastern Artist Association, Bamon Kampu under the aegis of CFPGS, Ministry of Culture, at the community hall of Bamon Kampu Makha Leikai on Sunday.
The closing function was presided over by social scientist Dr Dhanabir Laishram with JNMDA ex-Guru Th Ibohal and Stephen Higher Secondary School principal P Inaobi attending as guests of honour.
In his speech, P Bilash said that the various art forms of the state are slowly disappearing and as such, there is the urgent need for preserving them.
He stated that it would be hard to preserve these art forms just by merely organising festivals, while adding that there is the need for joint cooperation between the government and experts to protect the art forms.
Regarding the workshop, the JNMDA director explained that 'Khubak Eshei' came into being during the time of king Gambhir Singh and is performed during Rath Yatra (Kang Chingba).
However, it is one of the dying artforms of the state.
Thus, the initiative taken up by Eastern Artist Association to protect this art form is highly appreciated, he said and urged for concerted efforts in preserving the rare art forms of the state.