Nachom Arts Foundation: Encouraging Artists to experience different dimensions of Art

Bidyarani Thingujam *

NAF 9/9 Residency at RKCS Art Gallery, Keishamthong on 12th May, 2017 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

NAF 9/9 Residency, a month long course on contemporary dance form that began on April 9th concluded at RKCS Art Gallery, Keishamthong on 12th May, 2017. Art and Culture Minister L. Jayentakumar, Director of Art and Culture, Dr K Sushila and President of Nachom Arts Foundation, Professor M. Akshaykumar were among those present on the occasion. Three unique contemporary dance performances, "The Other World" by Senjam Hemjit Meitei, "Ehool" by Laiphangbam Suraj Roy and "Inner Voice" by Purnima Yengkokpam were the highlight of the month long programme.

After the completion of the residency, the three performances were presented at various places of Imphal namely- on 9th May at Yumpham Studio, on 10th May at Forage, Imphal, on 11th May at Books and Coffee, Singjamei Yumnam Leikai and lastly at RKCS Art Gallery, Keishamthong. The residency was directed by Surjit Nongmeikapam and coordinated by Renuka Soraisam. Sunil Singh Loitongbam, Victor Thoudam, Korou Khundrakpam, Chaoba Thiyam, Sonia Nepram and Deepak Kurki Shivaswamy were the teachers at the month long course.

Speaking to E-pao.net, Director Surjit Nongmeikapam said the course was organised with an aim to provide a common platform to all artists in Manipur and showcase the contemporary dance form. He further said it was a difficult task to create an awareness of this dance form in the state.

NAF 9/9 RESIDENCY

NAF 9/9 Residency is the first residency program Nachom Arts Foundation is organising in Imphal. This residency has been a platform for learning for each and everyone who has participated. The Foundation's aim is to groom new artists from Manipur. The residency has become a space where the artists developed knowledge about future projects or their own production works.

NAF 9/9 Residency 2017 program aimed at bringing together artists from across the state and to support their residency in creative explorations, investigation and professional growth within the exchange. The NAF 9/9 Residency is an open call only for Manipur based choreographers, dancers, actors or performing artists. The duration of the residency is from 9th April to 9th May, 2017. All the selected artists presented their work during the residency.

The Participants

Senjam Hemjit Meitei(Tombi): A dancer trained both in traditional and modern dance forms and Manipuri martial arts, Thang-ta. He has been a part of several national and international level artists residencies focussing on dance and movements. Presently, he is working with NAF under the guidance of Surjit Singh Nongmeikapam.

Purnima Yengkokpam: A versatile theatre artist, graduated from National School of Drama, New Delhi, Purnima Yengkokpam is specialized in acting. She is undergoing a a one year fellowship given by NSD and guided by the Late eminent Manipuri theatre personality Heisnam Kanhailal.

Laiphangbam Suraj Roy: A young enthusiastic contemporary dancer, have been learning and working as a dancer since 2013 under the guidance of Surjit Singh Nongmeikapam. His interest in exploring the body through movement has led him into the platform of contemporary dance.

NAF 9/9 Residency at RKCS Art Gallery, Keishamthong on 12th May, 2017 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

About the Director

Surjit Singh Nongmeikapam: is an Imphal based choreographer and artist. He started his dance career when he was 24 years old. Until now he has participated in many international and national artist's residency programmes and dance festivals. His works tour in Switzerland, France, Singapore, Belgium, Japan, USA, Germany, Spain, Portugal and UK among others.

His work 'One Voice(solo)" was nominated for a short peice award in 2013 at Theatre Spektskel, Zurich. He is also an award-winning choreographer; his own piece NERVES, an ensemble with 5 performers including himself, won PECDA in 2014. Recently, his new work FOLKTALE got an award for PECDA in 2016. Surjit Nongmeikapam is the artistic director and co-founder of Nachom Arts Foundation, Manipur. NAF has been developing many different projects in Manipur focusing on contemporary performing arts platform.

About the Foundation

Nachom Arts Foundation: is based in Imphal, Manipur. NAF welcomes every art forms. We encourage everyone who wants to experience different dimensions of art from different artists around the world.

---References taken from NAF 9/9 Residency
A Short Note on Contemporary Dance

Contemporary dance is a dance performance genre that developed during the mid-twentieth century and has since grown to become one of the dominant genres for formally trained dancers throughout the world, with particularly strong popularity in the U.S and Europe, Although originally informed by and borrowing from classical, modern and jazz styles, it has since come ti incorporate elements from manu styles of dance.

Due to its technical similarities, it is often perceived to be closely related to modern dance, ballet and other classical concert dance styles.

Best Wishes to Nachom Arts Foundation

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