Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 14:
The 1st Costume and Traditional Day was celebrated under the auspices of Costume and Traditional Day Celebration Committee at GM Hall here today along with a cultural extravaganza and felicitation of cultural activists and troupes.
Yaiskul Assembly Constituency MLA E Kunjeshore, Wabagai Assembly Constituency MLA Dr U Deben and Curator of Manipur State Museum L Dhanapati Devi were respectively chief guest, president and guest of honour of the inaugural function.
After commencement of the function with lighting of ceremonial lamp by the chief guest, the dignitaries on the dais presented felicitation certificates to S Kunja, teacher of Phouoibi Malem Khousharol Jagoi, artistes of Social Dramatic Union, Kuki cultural troupes and Naga cultural troupes.
Presentation of talks on various topics by resource persons like president of Kuki Mothers' Association Rose Mangshi, Councillor of Imphal Municipal Council Kalangchunglu and Padmashree Dr M Kriti and group discussion on the observations made by them are other highlight of the celebration.
In his address as chief guest of the inaugural function, MLA E Kunjeshore said costume and tradition of all the communities living in Manipur are very rich.
These cultural elements should be preserved and promoted as it is through these elements that identity of the Manipuri people lies and introduced the State to the world, he said, adding that costume and tradition of a society can not be alienated from the developmental process taking place.
He, however, took serious note of the atmosphere of distrust and animosity that has been created among the various groups of people living in Manipur in the last few decades through some political games.
Such disintegrating forces should be defeated jointly by the people, he added.
MLA Dr U Deben, who presided over the function, observed that development and refinement of the cultural elements like costume and tradition is essential for a civilise society.
Only when there is development in art and culture, a society can prosper and peace prevail, he said, while stressing on the collective responsibility of all the people in preservation and promotion of the culture.
In continuation of the celebration, cultural troupes of various communities presented dances and songs enthralling the gathering.