Traditional dances mooted to promote bond
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 10 2012: Exuding confidence that emotional bond amongst the indigenous people of Manipur would be strengthened in case cultural items, such as dance forms of various ethnic communities could be incorporated as curri-cula of the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA), Academy Director L Upendra Sharma emphasised on the need to include Thang-Ta as a tribute to the Manipuri forefathers.

Noting that JNMDA was established on April 1, 1954 under the Ministry of Culture as an acknowledgement and tribute to the artistes of Manipur, Upendra Sharma told the Sangai Express that the Academy has immense potential to establish camaraderie and revive the age-old fraternal bond amongst the indigenous people.

Strongly advocating addition of more traditional dance forms of various communities settled in the State as Academy syllabi, he stated that there is urgent need for including Thang-Ta as one of the curricula in order to preserve and popularise the ancient martial arts form practised by the Manipuri forefathers.

A Naga traditional dance

Apart from Thang-Ta being a martial art form, it needs to be reminded to the upcoming generation that most of the Manipuri forefathers valiantly fought the then powerful British invaders/soldiers with swords and spears, expressed the Director.

along with promoting the ancient martial arts form, incorporating Thang-Ta as an Academy syllabus will enable the artistes to popularise the martial art form and facilitate presentation of the same to the global fraternity through attractive packaging, Upendra observed.

Expressing that periodical congregation of cultural exponents and artistes would be helpful in restoring the age-old ties amongst various communities, he suggested that more tribal dance forms need to be included as Academy curricula.

Informing that at present Kabui and Mao traditional dances are the only tribal cultural items propounded through the Academy, the Director said there are numerous dance forms and folk songs of the tribal communities that merit inclusion as a syllabus.

Further confided that representatives of different tribal communities had been reaching out to Academy officials to incorporate and recognise their respective cultural items, Upendra asserted that from his side officials of the Ministry of Culture have been apprised to positively consider such proposals.

Accepting that curriculum of the Academy is being dominated by the Meitei culture and traditions, he said leaders of the Muslim community are yet to intimate their desire to a part of the Academy study.

Out of 12 departments of the Academy, five of them are related to Manipuri Ras Leela dance forms, with the other departments associated with studies on Lai Haraoba and Nat Sankirtan, and tribal dances of Mao and Kabui, he said while pointing out that Muslim artistes should propose for inclusion of their own culture and folk songs.

Informing that class in different courses are being conducted in between 7.30 am till 5.30 pm, he explained that some courses require nine years for completion after which a student has the opportunity to sustain his/her interest as a teacher in both the State or outside.

The Academy runs under the patronage of Sangeet Natak Akademi of Ministry of Culture, Govt of India.

At present the institution has a total of 45 teaching faculty members, 18 visiting Gurus, 26 artistes and 32 employees.

In a particular academic session the Academy commands a total of 150 students, added the Director.