IMPHAL, April 1: The closing ceremony of the yearlong diamond jubilee celebration of the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal was held today with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh attending the function as the chief guest.
Speaking at the function held at JNDMA auditorium, the Chief Minister said that this academy has a pride of place as a centre for imparting and studying Manipuri dances and music since its inception.
It has also been responsible for integration of the indigenous and the vaishnavite culture which find embodiments in several arts like dance, music, dramas, fine arts etc, through the selfless dedication of renowned Gurus of Manipur like Maisnam Amubi Singh, Haobam Atomba Singh etc.
This academy has developed to a matured academy thus keeping alive rich and creative traditional dances of Manipur, he added.
The Chief Minister also gave his assurance to render support and cooperation in promoting the art and culture of the state and also to give pension for the elderly gurus who contributed dedication in promoting and protecting the art and culture of the state.
Delivering speech at the function, Lalit Mansingh, vice president of Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi, said that Manipur is made popular by Manipuri dance.
After independence when classical dance was to revive in the country, Manipuri dance was already there and was far ahead, when it took 15 to 20 years for other classical dance forms like Orissi, Kuchikuri and others to get recognition as a proper form of classical dance, he maintained.
Diverting his topic and speaking on the development of the state on the `Look East Policy`™ he stated that after 50 years or so the centre of gravity of the world will take from Europe to United States to the East of Manipur stretching it from Manipur to the Japanese shore and beyond to the pacific shore.
Speaking at the function Ratan Thiyam, chairman of National School of Drama, New Delhi stated that it is a long journey to celebrate its 60 years of completion. One should not forget the past Gurus who had make it successful that has nurtured and contributed so much for this institution to see this day.
He further said that things have changed and it`™s no longer the time of fifties so accordingly one have to adapt to the change that is taking place. So in order to preserve, to bring out the creative artist in the state there is in need of proper infrastructure, facilities, instruments, hostel and dedicated gurus to groom the artist in the correct way, he added.
During the closing ceremony three books titled, `Manipuri Jagoi amadi Esheigi Langei,`™ `Glossary for Manipuri Dance and Music`™ and `Who is who of JNDMA alumni`™ were also released during the function.
Three students were awarded gold medals for the academic year 2014-2015. They are Haobijam Gourashyam Singh (Pung), Lairenmayum Sunita Devi (Rass) and Thangjam Biren Singh (Sankirtana)