IMPHAL, July 3: The Nat Sankritan Shangha, Tekcham, Khongjom has today organised the 17th Summer Sankritan Festival 2013 at Community Hall, Tekchem Bazar in an effort to maintain the tradition of this art form and also to maintain originality as well as to give its way running to the future generation. The Wangjing Tentha MLA P Brojen Singh was attending the festival as Chief Guest while the 12th Moirangthem Ibotomba memorial Awards 2013 were conferred to Moirangthem Lala Singh of Heirok Part I and Chongtham Iboyai Singh of Wangjing Tentha. Moirangthem Rejendra Singh of Tentha Khunjao Mayai Leikai donated the Award in memory of his father. The Award, which is awarded to those elders of Nat Sankritan percussion & singer, Maibi, Pena performers of Thoubal district, consists of Rs 2000 along with a turban, a garland and a certificate.
The award winning M Lala Singh is a lover of Nat Sankritan percussion while Chongtham Iboyai Singh is famous for his role as Tangkhul character in the Lai haraoba. He had performed his activity at Delhi and Tejpur in Assam.
Floral tribute was also made to those late nat sankritan performers whose works and lives were devoted for this art form. The chief guest has released a souvenir in relation with the festival of Nat Sankritan.