Award snubbed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 19 2018:
Sangai Artist Association has decided to return the 3rd Best play award as well as two other awards, it won in a Shumang Leela competition organised by Manipur State Kala Academy, alleging biased results.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, Sangai Artist Association secretary Surjit expressed disappointment with the result of the Shumang Leela competition announced by the jury.
Wakchinggi Nongalamdai, a Shumang Leela written by Maipaksana Haorungbam and directed by Iboyaima Khuman (both from Sangai Artist Association), bagged the 3rd Best Play as well as the 2nd Best Actress and Best Comedian awards.
However, the association decided to return the award due to the biased nature of the results, he claimed and alleged that the competition seemed to lack transparency.
He explained that prior to the competition, Manipur State Kala Academy circulated the instructions for the said competition.
According to the instructions, Shumang Leelas which did not meet certain criteria, like traditional values, dresses, attires, language, etc were prohibited from the competition but there were several Shumang Leelas in the competition which did not follow the aid instructions, he alleged.
He further questioned how the Shumang Leelas which do not follow the rules were given marks.