New Delhi, September 10, 2009: Sangeet Natak Akademi Chairman Ram Niwas Mirdha today presented the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the year 2008 at a special investiture held Meghdoot Theatre, Copernicus Marg here.

Thirty-three artistes in different disciplines of art from different parts of the country received the award for 2008.Bimbavati Devi in the field of Manipuri dance, Mayanglambam Mangangsana Meitei in PENA -the traditional music of Manipur and RK Sanaton in SHUMANG LEELA�traditional theatre form of Manipur received the prestigious national awards.

The presentation ceremony will be followed by a week-long festival of music, dance and theatre etc.

featuring some of the recipients of the year from 10-16 September 2009. Mangangsana and Bimbavati will present the performance on September 13 and Sanaton on September 14 at the Meghdoot Theatre.

The award was instituted in 2006 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, an autonomous body of Ministry of Culture, Government of India and apex institution of performing arts in the country.

The presentation of the award is meant to encourage outstanding young talents in diverse fields of performing arts and give them national recognition early in life.

The award is given to performing artists below the age of 35 years as on 1st April of the year and covers music, dance, theatre, puppetry and scholarship in performing arts.

The legendary theatre director Ratan Thiyam who was recently appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi said in his welcome address, "Art is the sacred soul of beauty and truth and thus only highly disciplined persons can make the art.

They can concentrate on their creative works to achieve the goal".

He asserted, "Art is solace, meditation and everything.

The creative eyes of the artistes also focus on the socio- economic and political lives of the society.

The art is very powerful and it can change the system of the society.

That is how an artiste uses the art as the creative weapon".

He further stated, "Today, the world has a lot of changes.

Technological advancement has intruded towards the various forms of art.

The artistes are now facing new challenges into it.

World is now affected by terrorism.

Earth is wounded.

The artistes have to express their voice into their creative works and to stand against the terrorism".

He appealed to the younger generations to work hard to make a better future and an everlasting peace in the world.

Sangeet Natak Akademi Chairman Ram Niwas Mirdha said that the Yuva award would little boost to the budding artistes and hoped that those recipients would bring further laurels of the country in years to come.

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