IMPHAL, April 15: The Manipur State Kala Akademi, today at the CK auditorium, Palace Compound, presented its Akademi Awards at a glittering ceremony. Governor VK Duggal gave away the awards for 2011 to different artist and literati for their outstanding contribution.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor highlighted that Manipur with its rich cultural heritage, is still vibrant today as compared to other cultures. But there is a need to protect it from the onslaught of globalisation. He cited the example of Punjab experience, a state where he hails from, that the Bhangra dance is today facing the challenge of globalisation. Noting that the backlog in honouring the state artist is a matter of concern, he said, he will personally look into it and give necessary help.
Theatre doyen, Heisnam Kanhailal, in his presidential address, identified the lack of research and scholarship in the field of performance art. State like kerala has a host of research activities being taken up by young scholars. He said objective and scientific analysis of the Manipuri aesthetics is the need of the hour. A department in the MU for Theatre and Performance studies should be included, he added. The Governor, interestingly, also said that he have already conveyed about the matter to Chancellor of the University.
Recipient of the Akademi Fellow, Filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma and Scholar RK Jhaljit also spoke on the occasion. The two Fellows of the Akademi received a cash of one lakh each. Nineteen artistes get Rs 50000 each, as Akademi Awardee. And six other artistes get Rs 25000 each, as Akademi Young Talent Awardee. The award ceremony took off with an invocation by the Pradhan Guru of JNMDA, A Tombinou and her team. It came to an end with performance by the Awardees.
The recipient are as follows:
Akademi Fellow: i) Shri R.K. Jhalajit Singh, ii) Shri Aribam Syam Sharma
Akademi Award: i) Km. Thokchom Ibemubi Devi, Dance, ii) Smt. Moirangthem Praneshwori Devi, Dance, iii) Shri Pukhrambam Dhanajit Singh, Dance, iv) Shri Ningthoujam Itomacha Singh, Music, v) Shri B. Jayantakumar Sharma, Music, vi) Lourembam Bedabati Devi, Music, vii) Shri S.K. Mangang, Theatre, viii) Shri Hijam Shyam Singh, Theatre, ix) Shri Mangsatabam Ningthem, Shumang Leela, x) Shri Haorongbam Bishwarup Singh, Thang-Ta, xi) Shri Haobijam Amutombi Singh, Other Forms of Art- Wari Leeba, xii) Dr. Yumnam Sadananda Singh, Other Forms of Art- Mime, xiii) Shri Newman Hungshi, Tribal Culture, xiv) Shri Lungpuiga Remei, Tribal Culture, xv) Prof. Jodha C. Sanasam, Literature (Creative Work), xvi) Prof. Polem Nabachandra, Literature (Creative Work), xvii) Prof. Thounaojam Ratankumar, Literature (Translation), xviii) Shri Robin Wahengbam, Fine Arts, xix) Shri Ngamkholen Haokip ,Fine Arts
Akademi Yo`ung Talent Award: i) Shri Pukhrambam Bilash Singh, Dance, ii) Shri Konsam Shanta Singh, Music, iii) Smt. Bachaspatimayum Sob ita Devi, Theatre, iv) Shri Gurumayum Biseshwor Sharma, Thang-Ta, v) Shri Wayenbam Chinglen Singh, Other Forms of Art- Wari Leeba, vi) Shri Oshim Sowung, Tribal Culture.