Rhythms of Manipur marks 40 glorious years of musical journey

The internationally acclaimed performing arts group Rhythms of Manipur celebrated its 40th Foundation Day on Tuesday at the Manipuri Jagoi Marup Golden Jubilee Stage, Lamboikhongnangkhong in Imphal West. The grand occasion also marked a decade of the group’s popular ensemble, the Dancing Drummers.
The celebration was graced by P. Bilash, Director of the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA), as Chief Guest. Dr. Y. Sadananda Singh, noted Mime Theatre Director and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, attended as Guest of Honour, Likmabam Manibabu Singh, President of Rhythms of Manipur, presided over the function.
The observance commenced with a welcome address and keynote speech by Rajkumar Sanatomba, founder-artist of Rhythms of Manipur, who narrated the group’s four-decade-long journey in promoting and preserving the rich musical traditions of Manipur.
Chief Guest P. Bilash, in his speech, highlighted the growing relevance of performing arts in contemporary times. He lauded Rhythms of Manipur for carrying the legacy of Manipuri music and culture to national and international platforms over the past forty years. He also acknowledged the group’s efforts in empowering women through their musical productions.
As part of the celebration, founding members and composers were felicitated. A special performance by the Dancing Drummers captivated the audience, becoming the highlight of the evening.
Established in 1985, Rhythms of Manipur has performed extensively across the country and has toured seven countries since 2013. The group has twice been honoured with the Doordarshan National Awards for its music compositions Journey and Dancing Drummers.