Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 09:
In his first public function after assuming office as Governor of the State, Gurbachand Singh Jagat today inaugurated a four-day long 'International seminar cum workshop on spiritual and physical dimension of Manipuri martial arts' at the centenary hall of Manipur University here.
Speaking at the occasion, the Governor said he was delighted to learn that the main objective of the seminar is to put together in one event, the overwhelming complexity of the entire martial arts traditions of various ethnic communities of the State.
Observing that Manipur's rich heritage of martial arts, which constitute a significant component of the culture of the people, remain largely unexplored, Gurbachand said that though Manipur is famous for its dances and sports, martial arts such as sword fighting, spear fighting and Manipuri wrestling need to be taken up for a closer study to understand and unravel the underlying meaning of such arts.
On the relevance of the seminar cum workshop, the Governor said that in Manipur, a few items of martial arts such as composed sword and spear dances are exhibited quite frequently on modern stages to the surprise, excitement and applause of larger audiences.
However, such performances have literally sidetracked the spiritual aspects of the art form and the deeper concern of the real meaning of this beautiful aspect of Manipuri culture and civilisation.
The seminar which aims at bringing a deeper and wider understanding of Manipuri martial arts should be the focus for drawing attention of all concerned to the rich variety of martial arts in this State.
It should be the standard bearer in the movement to develop a standardised code of each martial arts as it would provide a platform for exchange of ideas and skills amongst the participants, the Governor said.
He also pointed out that worldwide, in the present day, various forms of martial arts are practised for physical fitness, recreation, self defence, etc besides being recognised as competitive sports.
This adaptation permits the old tradition to survive in this highly competitive modern world.
So for the Manipuri martial arts to survive in the present time, it is therefore, essential that it has to adapt by incorporating codes and conducts after understanding and standardising the principles, added the Governor.
This way the arts can be sustained and propagated on the pattern of what was done to their traditional martial arts in Japan, China and other Southeast Asian countries by involving educational institution, he noted.
While informing that people of his home State Punjab are also adept in martial arts form through which the saint soldiers under the leadership of 10th Sikh Guru Govind Singh fought many a war successfully in the past, the Governor appealed to the organisers to hand over the proceedings and recommendations of the seminar to him to ensure that the Government takes up necessary measures for development and popularisation of the martial arts form as well.
As chief guest of the inaugural function, the Governor also released a souvenir to mark the occasion.
Education Minister L Jayantakumar and Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya attended the function as guests of honour of the function presided over by Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Prof C Amuba.
The seminar cum workshop is being organised jointly by Manipur University, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi, Directorates of School Education, Higher Education, Youth Affairs and Sports and Arts and Culture, Government of Manipur and MIISIKHOLL, Imphal.
From the side of the organisers, gifts were also presented to teachers and gurus of various martial arts schools who would be participating in the seminar cum workshop over the next four days as resource persons.
Prof JM Kim from Korea who is currently associated with Jawaharlal Nehru University was also among the resource persons honoured at the occasion.