DIPR
Imphal, Jan, 17,
A 3-Day Festival of Dance Drama was inaugurated by Governor and Chairman of JNMDA Dr. Najma Heptulla yesterday at the Auditorium of JNMDA, Imphal. The function was presided by Vice Chairman of JNMDA Prof. H. Tombi Singh.
Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, Governor said she is privilege to have the opportunity of witnessing the Dance-Drama “Shakuntala” choreographed by Late W. Lokendrajit Singh, a renowned Choreographer of Manipur on the occasion of completing 43 years of the Production Unit of JNMDA.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy was established in the year 1954 under the patronage of the late Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It is the first National Institution of its kind in India for Manipuri Dance. When Pandit Nehru visited Manipur in 1952, he saw a presentation comprising of a number of Dances such as Manipuri, Naga and others. He observed, “The normal Dances that we see elsewhere in India (excepting, of course, the classical dances like Bharat Natyam) seemed pale and insipid in comparison with the show at Manipur”.
It goes without saying that Manipur is today best introduced to the world through her rich performing arts and culture and not through her geographical position and size. It is through the Manipuri dance that the world has known the existence of such a tiny State in this far-flung North Eastern part of the country. Artistes from this State have given innumerable shows in our country and abroad and have brought commendation and recognition from various foreign countries. The grace and power attracting the viewer’s mind is superb in the elegant Manipuri dance which is a delicately sensitive type of classical dance.
Governor reiterate that Manipuri dance is not the art of Manipur alone, it is also an art of India as a whole. Hence, its development is as important as the development of other aspects of our total cultural heritage. It is, therefore, our bounden duty to preserve, nurture and enrich Manipuri dance and culture so that it may continue to enrich the Indian culture.
The Academy is at present conducting various courses in Raas, Lai Haraoba, Nata-Sankirtana (Ishei), Nata-Sankirtana (Cholom), Nata-Sankirtana (Pung), Tribal Dance and Thang-ta. She is happy that the J.N. Manipur Dance Academy, which was established more than 60 years ago with the sole objective of preserving and propagating Manipuri culture, particularly dance, has been devoting itself whole heartedly to this noble cause since then.
Later, a Dance-Drama “Shakuntala” was performed by JNMDA, Imphal which was Choreographed by Late W. Lokendrajit Singh. “Ghana Baari Barikhata” by Manipuri Nartanalaya, Kolkata and “Maan Vikshya” by Manipuri Jagoi Marup, Imphal will be played on January 17 & 18 at 4 pm each at JNMDA Auditorium.
The 3-Day Festival of Dance Drama was organised by JNMDA, Imphal on the occasion of 43 years of Production Unit of the Academy which is featuring the best three productions of three prominent dance groups- JNMDA, Imphal, Manipuri Jagoi Marup and Manipuri Nartanalaya, Kolkata.
