Governor bats for preserving, promoting cultural values
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 01 2019:
While observing that the people of the State should make sincere efforts towards creating a favourable environment to promote its cultural traditions and practices, Governor Najma Heptulla has called for collective commitment towards preserving core cultural values of the State.
She was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the 65th foundation day of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) at the academy's auditorium which would be celebrated for three days.
The Governor who is also the Chairperson of JNMDA further pointed out that the rich cultural resources of the State are assets for marching towards progress and prosperity apart from making the State and its people beautiful and enabling them to remain connected to each other.
"We should encourage our youth to keep these skills and creativity alive and robust.
I urge for collective commitment for preserving core cultural values and I shall be very happy when this commitment and efforts will translate into further growth of this fascinating Manipur State" she added.
Saying that the role taken by JNMDA in promoting and preserving the State's culture is laudable and has special significance, she went on to urge the faculty members and the students of JNMDA to remain relevant in the competitive world of outperforming each other and not to lose their way and dilute their cultural entity and identity.
Delivering presidential speech at the function JNMDA Vice Chairperson H Tombi claimed that the academy has been taking significant roles in preserving and promoting Manipuri dance to the whole world besides taking pivotal role in various other aspects like research on the same (Manipuri dance) since its inception in 1954 .
The production unit of the academy which was established in 1975 has produced 40 dance dramas and ballads which were based on the traditional techniques of Manipuri dance and music but developed in innovative, creative and contemporary compositions till date.
Many of the productions were highly appreciated throughout the world, he continued.
Informing that JNMDA is planning to start a research and documentation centre for collecting and documenting the contributions made by renowned gurus and scholars of Manipuri dance from this year onwards, Tombi opined that the centre will go a long way in the field of research and teaching of Manipuri dance and Manipuri culture.
He conveyed that the academy is also planning to work out certain programmes to protect the valuable articles and cultures of 35 different ethnic tribes in the State.
During the function, the Governor conferred Rajyapal Gold Medal, Lourembam Tombi Gold Medal, Savita Ben Mehta Gold Medal and Khukhu Sarkar Gold Medal to Oinam Madanamohan, Leichombam Sapana Devi, Maisnam Pari Meetei, Naorem Chanu Leisembi and Laikhuram Monika Devi respectively.
The awardees also performed many cultural items, including pung cholom, basanta ras and nitya ras.
Many cultural items will be presented on the 2nd day and also the last day of the foundation day, April 3 .
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