The Regional Centre, Guwahati of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), an autonomous institution of the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India in collaboration with Mirror of Whistle Stops (MOWS), organized a workshop cum demonstration on “Endangered Folk Songs and Musical Instruments of Manipur” from 5th to 11th May 2025 at Kakching, Manipur. This Workshop cum Documentation was aimed to highlight and preserve the rich yet endangered musical traditions of Manipur through lectures, live demonstrations and interactive sessions.
The workshop was inaugurated on 5th May 2025 at the Kakching Dramatic Union, Kakching, Manipur by folk singer Irungbam Padmabati Devi in the presence of Dr. Sapam Ranbir Singh, Regional Director, IGNCA, RC Guwahati and Ksh. Meghachandra Singh, Secretary, MOWS. Around 70 participants attended the workshop. Naorem Gangatombi, A Grade AIR Artist, Khumanthem Sundari Devi, Manipur State Kala Academy Awardee, Yengkhom Tombi, Senior Folk Singer, Kshetrimayum Sanahal, Revered Amaibi & Spiritual Figure and Laimayum Subhadra Devi, Assistant Professor, Manipur University were the other folk artists invited to conduct sessions and share their experience with the participants of the workshop. Through interactive sessions, the participants were instructed and enlightened with the opulent and splendiferous endangered musical traditions of Manipur.
The 7 days’ Workshop cum Documentation ended on 11th May 2025 with a closing ceremony organized at Library and Information Centre, Kakching, Manipur to showcase the performances of the folk artists and the participants. Ksh. Godadhar Singh, Visiting Guru, Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal graced the event as the President of the program. Prof. Paonam Gunindro Singh, Vice Chancellor, Manipur University of Culture attended the event as the Chief Guest. Naorem Pravin Singh (IAS), Secretary (MA, OBC & SC & YAS), Director (MREDA) & Secretary Education (S), Manipur attended the event as the Guest of Honour.
Other dignitaries present in the event were Dr. Nongmaithem Pramodini Devi, Dr. Ambedkar Sahityashree National Awardee, Prof. H. Sudhirkumar Singh, Professor, Dept. of History, Manipur University, Sh. Mutum Maniton, Guest Faculty, Dept. of Umang Lai Haraoba, Manipur University of Culture, Dr. Ksh. Rajiv Singh, Social Worker, Kakching, Manipur & Dr. M. Damudor Singh, Assistant Professor, Thoubal College.
Dr. S. Ranabir Singh, RD, IGNCA RC Guwahati delivered the welcome address. He elucidated to the audience that the program was an initiative of IGNCA RC Guwahati and MOWS to preserve the rich cultural tapestry of the State. This program is part of an initiative of IGNCA Regional Centre Guwahati to document, research and preserve the endangered folk songs, dances, musical instruments of North East India. This initiative is a part of IGNCA’s mandate and vision to study and document wide area of research ranging from oral traditions, performing arts, visual arts, literature and lifestyle studies of various communities of North East India particularly folk and tribal communities.