Cultural convention
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 06 2023:
Asserting that there is a growing need to hold a mega cultural conference in the State, the Cultural Workers and Activists Forum (CWAF) Manipur has lined up a mega cultural conference.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, CWAF Manipur Chairman Budha Chingtham said that CWAF is an apex body of all the organisations of Manipur which are working in the field of culture.
The main objective of CWAF is preservation, promotion and propagation of the State's cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, he said.
The forum has also been holding regular meetings and studying the cultural scenario of Manipur from time to time, Budha said.
After an in-depth study of the multiple challenges being faced by cultural personalities/artistes and degeneration of culture, abuse of cultural values and the resulting cultural disorder, insufficient support to minority culture, inadequate appreciation of culture, non-recognition of cultural workers and artistes, struggle for survival by artistes, cultural rights including the right to take part in cultural like without discrimination, cultural supremacy and cultural hegemony, the forum decided to organise a mega cultural convention, he said.
Even though it is said that cultural workers and artistes have been taking a key role in identifying Manipur, the State and the people have been giving more attention to sports.
A large number of the cultural workers and artistes are not getting any incentive, Budha said.
The proposed mega cultural convention would study all these issues and aspects before deciding on how to tackle these issues and approach the Government, the CWAF Chairman said.
He said that the date and venue of the cultural conference would be announced soon.
There is the Manipur Culture Policy but its implementation or enforcement remains highly questionable, he said.
It would be a big help to cultural workers as well as the vanishing or degrading art forms if the Manipur Culture Policy is implemented effectively, he said.
It has been in the records that the Chief Minister made an announcement on the floor of the State Assembly that an advisory body comprising experts would be constituted as provided in the Manipur Culture Policy, he continued.
He opined that the Manipuri culture would become more vibrant if the advisory body is constituted.
Budha Chingtham asserted that there is a growing need to create awareness among the masses on the vanishing cultural values of Manipur in the backdrop of the Yaoshang festival.