Imphal, September 01 2010: Renowned lyricist and singer of yesteryear B Jayentakumar was conferred with Life Time Achievement Award of the Apunba Manipur Matam Ishei Kanglup on the eighth Matam-gi Ishei Numit, held at JN Manipur Dance Academy, DM College campus today.

The award has been conferred to the veteran lyricist recognizing his lifetime contributions in Manipuri modern songs.

A special honour was also paid to late Keisam Jaminikanta, a noted singer in his own time and who passed away recently.

MLA Bijoy Koijam, deputy chairman of state planning board graced the function as chief guest and Dr Kh Sorojini, director of Art and Culture presided over it.

President of AMMIK, Th Haimo attended as guest of honour.

Speaking as chief guest Bijoy Koijam asserted that modern Manipuri songs of of yesteryears are still very popular and continue to dominate the latest ones.

These songs still enthral listeners even though many new singers have emerged.

Many of the upcoming new singers, are good and get the full attention of the listeners but the unfortunate thing is that many of the lyrics cannot be listened together with family members, he observed.

Pointing out that some signers are imitating singing styles and tunes from south India, Bijoy stressed the need to check and avoid it.

If not checked in time, the journey of Manipuri modern song will be gloomy.

Singers need to get together with musicians to frame a guideline to check the trend of modern song in the state being mixed with imported tunes and music, he added.

Today's singers can also receive awards conferred by the Manipur Sahitya Akademy in the field of arts if they strive hard.

Art and Culture also need to give special attention in this regard, he stressed.

In her speech as president of the function, director Dr Kh Sorojini called upon singers and musicians for a concerted effort in popularizing modern songs of the state with its unique feature.

She also said she will put up the matter of awarding modern singers and musicians to the authority concerned.

Lifetime Achievement Award winner, B Jayentakumar while recalling the trend of Manipuri modern song related his life journey as a lyricist in the compnay of late Nongmaithem Pahari.

He explained his experiences with Pahari through a slide show.

Jayentakumar, with emotion, recalled his life with Pahari and how they would sit together and create tunes of the many songs written by him for Pahari.

Film maker, A Shyam Sharma who had been honoured with Lifetime achievement award by the Manipur Film Development Corporation recalled that in Manipur, the movement of modern songs started around 1960.It is with the invaluable efforts of yesteryears singers and musicians, that today's stage of modern song has been reached.

This should not be forgotten by today's singers and musicians, he advised.

Presentation of songs by the veteran 'modern song' singers attracted the gathering of the function at the concluding part.

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