IMPHAL, May 29: Though, Thoubal is the second largest district in the state, having ten Assembly Constituencies, there is no Arts and Culture related institution in the district and as such the Manipur government is requested to set up an Arts and Culture college in the district at the earliest.
This was stated by the secretary of Thoubal District Art and Culture Development Association M Brajamani Singh during an interaction with IFP.
He said that adolescents who are the pillars of the society have got addicted to drugs. On the other hand, undesirable incidents including killings continue unabated. So there is a necessity of establishing an institute for Arts and Culture or in Thoubal.
Introduction of the youth to the vast field of arts and culture associated traditions of the region will not only discipline them but help preserve and promote the tradition of the place, he said.
At present, Thoubal District Art and Culture Development Association is recognised by the Sangeet Kala Academy, New Delhi, Manipur State Kala Academy and Art and Culture Department of the Manipur government with over 200 persons from all the constituencies of Thoubal District as members of the association, he claimed.
The association is making efforts to revive and promote Pung Cholom, Thang-Ta, Wari-Lairik, Moibung Khongba, Jagoi-eshei, pena and Khongjom Parva etc, he said.
Twenty five prominent persons from various fields of Arts and Culture in the district are receiving pension under financial assistance of Manipur State Kala Academy, he said.
Arts and Culture Department has also honoured selected persons with Kala Bhusan.
Besides, Seminars, workshops and festivals participated by learned persons in the fields of Art and culture are organised every year. One day workshop on Manipuri Umanglai Haraoba with demonstration was held at the Wabagai Lai Kalika community hall located at Wabagai Tera Urak on May 19 this year. K. Sobita Devi, Director of Art and Culture Department and Bideshwar Sharma, Secretary of MSKA etc participated in the workshop.
Director, Art and Culture who participated in the workshop expressed her desire clearly to set up a college of Art and Culture. So an appeal was made for a college of Art and Culture to be established by the Manipur government in the district in the interest of youths at the earliest, he said.