IMPHAL, December 7: The state’s failure to communicate and expose its rich cultural heritage to the outside world in this era of development has blocked development of the state, said chairman of the National School of Drama Ratan Thiyam.
The state needs to expose its rich cultural heritage to the outside world and inter-mingle with the other developed and developing countries of the world, opined the first chairman of the NSD from the state.
He was speaking after the inaugural of the two-day Imphal Literature Festival at the Manipur Press Club.
He continued that there is also no encouragement from the side of the public.
Several languages have become extinct from the face of the earth, while there are others which have been announced endangered, and in such a scenario, the only feasible thing is to promote the literature by exposing it to the outside world, which will automatically develop the language, he said.
He further opined on the need to organize the festival on a bigger scale from next year and making specific changes to attract more players from outside.
Commissioner, Art and Culture, RK Nimai Singh lauded the organizing of such festival declaring that it will boost Manipuri Literature; and also assured all possible help from the side of the government.
The initiative of a single group in organizing the festival is commendable; however, the presence of multiple organizations working in the field could only help in making the festival grander.
He further echoed Ratan Thiyam’s observation while stating that although the state has a rich literature, lack of exposure to the outside world has hold back its development.
The commissioner also expressed the need to expose the Manipuri literature to the outside world.
An eminent poet from Bangladesh, Dr Shihab Shahriar who attended the function as the guest of honour of the function asserted that Manipur has a rich culture of language and a multi-dimensional culture and philosophy.
Another poet from Bangladesh of Manipuri origin, Sanaton Hamom expressed his pleasure on being able to visit Manipur; and said visiting Manipur for once in their lifetime is a dream for all Manipuri Bangladeshis.
Meanwhile, during the inaugural function of the two day festival, six books by different writers were released.
The books are Mamhallaba Ahing by Haridas Khongbantabam; Loubukki Manam by Tongbram Amarjit; Nangi Thongjinda by Lambamayum Bimol; Amuba Nungou by Surjit Khaidemcha; Mahousha by Saratchand Thiyam; and Thamoinungi Manipur by Sanaton Hamom.