Govt aid to artistes increased over the years: Dir
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 16 2022:
The 52nd Short Play Competition for Theatre Directors, 2021 - 'Amrit Natya Mahotsav', organised by Theatre Centre Manipur under the aegis of Sangeet Natak Akademi, was inaugurated at the auditorium of Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU), Yaiskul Police Lane here on Sunday.
Presided over by Theatre Centre Manipur president Wareppa Naba, the inaugural function was attended by Art & Culture Department director L Kishorjit as chief guest and MDU president Soiraisam Kesoram as guest of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Art & Culture Department director L Kishorjit highlighted that the government's assistance towards artistes has increased over the years with the launch of Chief Ministergi Artistsingi Tengbang on top of the existing schemes.
The pension given by Manipur State Kala Akademi has also been increased, he said, while urging all concerned to support the government's initiatives for the artistes, despite facing financial constraints.
While noting that the theatre movement which used to be thriving around two decades back seems to have slowed down, the director recalled that at one time, around 30-40 groups used to participate in a theatre event.
However, the number has gone down considerably in present times, with many theatre groups on the verge of dying, he added.
Kishorjit continued that the Short Play Competition used to be one of the biggest theatre events of the state.
Although the Covid-19 pandemic has put a damper on the number of participants this year, the director expressed belief that the number of participants will increase in the following years.
In his speech, Wareppa Naba informed that only around 10 theatre groups will be participating in the competition this year owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, which is appreciable.
However, as the pandemic is still raging on, only 40-50 audience seats will be arranged with strict adherence to Covid SOP, he conveyed, while informing that the prize distribution ceremony of the competition will be held in first week of February.
It may be mentioned here that the Short Play Competition will culminate on January 21 .