MSKA actively working in preserving, promoting State's rich culture
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, June 23 2016: The Manipur State Kala Akademi (MSKA) is actively working in preserving and promoting the state's rich culture.

The role of the Department is not only praiseworthy but also varied.

The Department is relentlessly trying to preserve and promote our rich culture through various activities since its inception in 1972.It also holds several promotional activities such as conferences, seminars, workshops as well as literary programmes , memorial lectures ,art exhibitions etc.

Some of its programmes are also being organised in collaboration with National Akademies and such other cultural institutions of repute.

The various activities being organised by the MSKA for preserving and promotion of the state's culture are: Akademi Awards: Manipur State Kala Akademi, Imphal, has been annually conferring Awards to distinguished artistes, artists, writers and scholars who represent highest standards of excellence and achievements making archetypal contribution in the fields of dance, music, theatre, shumang leela, Thang-ta.

Akademi Scholarship Scheme: The MSKA scholarship scheme, introduced by the Akademi in 1973, seeks to provide financial assistance to young artistes with outstanding potential for advanced training within India in different fields of art and culture.

Akademi Fellowship Scheme: The MSKA fellowship scheme, also introduced in 1973, seeks to provide financial assistance for research and advanced training in the field of music, dance, literature, theatre, fine art, thang-ta and other forms of art etc.

Akademi Pension Scheme: With the objective of taking care of minimal financial needs of elderly artistes, writers, scholars, artists etc., the Akademi instituted the scheme of financial assistance to old aged artistes who are in indigent circumstances and who have made contributions in art and letters and such other walks of life All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival: Manipur State Kala Akademi has been taking up an active role in the promotion of this traditional play of Manipur by holding the annual All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival for more than four decades.

Besides the popular male Shumang Leela groups, the festival also gives a much needed platform for the female Shumang Leela groups to showcase their latest plays.

All Manipur Drama Festival: The Akademi has been organising the All Manipur Drama Festival with an aim to give a thrust forward to the theatre movement of the region by offering a common platform for creative directors and all other stakeholders including playwrights, actors, designers, music composers, light technicians etc.

The festival, which is one of the calendar programmes of the Akademi, also offers a rare opportunity to assess the trend of modern Manipuri theatre.

Manipuri Classical Solo Dance Festival: The Akademi has been taking up the initiative of promoting the solo variant of classical Manipuri dance for years.

Over the years, Classical Manipuri Solo Dance has evolved and taken form although many aspects of this dance form are still open to deeper scrutiny.

Festival of Literature: The Festival of Literature was conceptualised, conceived and materialised by Manipur State Kala Akademi in 2011 with the objective of offering a common platform for writers, poets, scholars etc of the State and beyond so as to give a thrust forward to the literary movements of the State in particular and of India in general.

Publication of Books and Journals: Manipur State Kala Akademi has a Literature and Publication unit which publishes books on Manipuri culture and literature both in English and Manipuri.

During the period 2002 to 2016, the Akademi published several books including reprints.

Annual State Art Exhibition: The Akademi has been at the forefront of promoting the visual art movement in the State by organising art workshops, artists' camps, art exhibitions, art appreciation and lecture programmes etc.

The status of visual art in the State has shown considerable progress since the past few decades through sustained support and efforts on part of the Akademi as well as the artist community State Art Exposition: The Akademi also annually organises the State Art Exposition under the aegis of Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi.

Specifically designed to support and encourage young and upcoming artists, this exhibition mainly showcase the artworks of young and promising artists.

Group Art Exhibition: The Group Art Exhibition is one of the annual programmes of the Akademi designed for showcasing the talents of the local artists on national platforms.

Participation of the Akademi in State Functions and Programmes: Manipur State Kala Akademi has been organising a programme of Nata Sankirtana every year on the Death Anniversary of Maharaja Nara Singh on April 11, and a ceremonial performance Nata Sankirtana to the ritual rites of Tarpan as part of the Khongjom Day Observance onApril 23 .

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