CM basks in rich cultural heritage
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 06 2015:
Citizens of the State should be proud of the rich cultural heritage and all must work to conserve and preserve the priceless ancestral art form passed down by the forefathers for generations, stated Chief Minister Okram Ibobi at the International Sankritan Day Celebration 2015 organised today by the State Level Organising Committee for International Sankritan Day Celebration, 2015 at Chandrakirti Auditorium, Palace Compound, Imphal.
Even though Manipur is small compared to other States of the country, it has shown the world that it has a rich cultural heritage after UNESCO declared 'Sankritan' as a National heritage, the Chief Minister added.
Not only in art, the State has excelled even in sports.
Different ethnic communities of the State have different traditions, customs, art, culture etc.
and they all must be collectively preserved.
"To facilitate such preservation of the priceless wealth passed down to us by our forefathers for generations to come, the State Government has started taking up steps to institute a University of Culture for Manipur," Ibobi said.
By 2016-17, the university will be presented to the people though it may be for a few subjects, he added.
The State Government takes keen interest to uplift and promote arts and culture of Manipur, said the Chief Minister and added that the Government has acquired 250 acres of land in Imphal East district to set up a film institute.
50 acres of the land will be used for the institute and the remaining 200 acres will be used for setting up a film studio, he added.
To celebrate the International Sankritan Day Celebration 2015, the State Government will provide financial assistance from next year, he added.
Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Sericulture Minister, Govindas Konthoujam who attended as the guest of honour expressed that every individual of the State should voluntarily be associated with Sankritan as it could bring a change in the behavior and discipline of an individual.
The International Sankritan Day Celebration 2015 was presided by the MLA of Uripok Assembly Constituency L Nandakumar.
MLA of Kakching A/C Y Surchandra, MLA of Khangabok A/C Landhoni, MLA of Konthoujam A/C Sarat and MLA of Yaiskul A/C E Chand attended as the guests of honour.
As part of the celebration, artists who have worked for the development of Sankritan were honoured with awards and recognitions.
The Manipuri Sankirtana, an art form conceived by King Bhagyachandra Singh in the 18th century, was recognized by Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 6, 2013.To mark this day, the International Sankritan Day is celebrated.
The art form is transmitted from generation to generation through formal and traditional education.
Sankirtana music and dance reinforce the social and spiritual unity among the Vaishnavites of Manipur.
Sankirtana encompasses an array of arts performed to mark religious occasions and various stages in the life of Manipuri Vaishnavites.
Sankritan is a vibrant practice promoting an organic relationship among people as the entire whole society is involved in its safeguarding, with the knowledge and skills traditionally transmitted from mentors to disciples.
The viability of the art form is ensured by social support that has kept the art alive through centuries.
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