IMPHAL, October 19: The YGR Nat Sankirtan Seidam Shang, Yaiskul Police lane, today inaugurated its two day silver jubilee celebration here at Gopalji Mandood, Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai.
The function was attended by RK Nimai Singh, IAS, Commissioner of State Art and Culture department, L Birendrakumar Singh, musicologist, Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee, Dr K Sobita Devi, Director of State Art and Culture department as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Addressing the function as chief guest, RK Nimai lauded those teachers of Nat Sankirtan who have selflessly taught their pupils without taking any fees.
He further said that when compared with the Hindustani classical music and art forms, the Nat Sankirtan is no less. But there are some similarities between the two.
Changes will come with time and it beautifies some of it while it can also corrupt the original form. We need to look into where the changes are leading to, he said.
He also encouraged the young women artists who are evolving in this field.
K Sobita Devi, who attended as guest of honour, said the topic of our Art and Culture is now in a very critical stage of discussion. The silver jubilee celebration of YGR is very important and it can be seen as a success in some way with the present scenario of Art and Culture in the state.
She further said that with the invasion of Hinduism in Manipur, the religion has been giving the message of peace and harmony.
Even though Hinduism came from Bangladesh, it has our indigenous folk and culture in it. And it is the reason why it had succeeded in winning the hearts of the people in the state, she said.
Expressing her concern over the changes brought into the art forms, she said that “we are not maintaining the standards as earlier and we need to look into the matter.”