Need to examine reasons for decline of Nat Sankirtan : G Dharmadas
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 05 2026: Joint Director of Art & Culture Gurumayum Dharmadas has said there is need foran in-depth study into the reasons for the gradual decline of Nat Sankirtan, which is inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 20-day workshop cum production on Khubak Eshei, organised by Khamran Iboton Regional & Traditional Arts Niketan (KIRTAN) under the Chief Ministergi Artist Singi Tengbang scheme at JNMDA Mandop on Friday.

Dharmadas said JNMDA was established in 1954 and the Government Dance College was set up in the same year, and since then Gurus have been producing countless students and continue to do so.

At a time when Sankirtan has been preserved for over 70 years, why it is said to be declining needs to be examined, he said.

He said the deviation begins when Pung players and singers at the mandop add embellishments to the traditional patterns taught by Gurus, and deviation from the Guru's original composition, little by little, eventually leads to major distortion.

He called upon Pala Loishang, JNMDA, the Art & Culture Department and the State Kala Akademi to jointly deliberate and take steps to preserve the tradition laid down by the Gurus.

State general secretary of BJP Manipur Pradesh L Deben Singh and Thangjam Dorendra Singh attended the function as guest of honour and president respectively.

Artistes of KIRTAN also gave a Khubak Eshei performance on the occasion.

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