Imphal, September 25: Governor Dr SS Sidhu has inaugurated the five day long Festival of Traditional Manipuri Music, 2005 at the Th Iboyaima Shumang Leela Sanglen, Palace Compound here today. The festival is being organised jointly by Manipur State Kala Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi New Delhi.

Speaking at the occasion as chief guest, Dr Sidhusaid the people of Manipur both of hills and plain have their own and distinct cultural tradition.

The lucent and melodious tribal rhymes and captivating tunes from the hills which resound the entire land of Manipur,....

the melodious Meetei folk musics, evolved with the legends connected with the Loktak lake remind us of the rich ethnic music till today, Dr Sidhu, who is also the chairman of the State Akademi said in a poetical mood.

These rare but vanishing forms of music, patterns of songs and traditional musical traits have to be preserved against the background of rapid onslaught of modernisation process, he said.

Efforts made by any organisation for revival of these rare art forms have to be encouraged and appreciated by all, he said, adding that music adds life to dance and song and it provides a taste to both.

One the developmental front, the Governor noted that Manipur is passing through a difficult phase with a plethora of problems.

It is lagging far behind not only other States of the country, but even the States of the North East Region with regard to overall economic development.

The pace of development is being greatly retarded by continuing insurgency and ethnic conflicts, said, adding that it is the responsibility of every Manipuri to catapult the State into a higher orbit of development.

Director of Chorus Repertory Theatre Ratan Thiyam who attended the function as guest of honour said the expanse of culture is bigger than the size of Manipur.

The Internationally acclaimed theatre activist expressed deep concern over vanishing art form of traditional music and urged the State Govt for paying special attention in this regard.

Organising such festivals should also not be confined to plain area, but it also be held hill areas, he pointed out.

In his presidential address, Art and Culture Minister Ph Parijat Singh hoped that the festival would help in creating a better understanding among the various ethnic groups living in Manipur on the commonness of their history and tradition.

This is also the need of the hour, he said.

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