3-day international symposium on dance and music launched

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, March 28, 2019: The North-Eastern region is blessed with natural beauty along with the diverse ethnic, linguistic and culture. Due to long isolation till the recent past, the region’s culture has not received its due exposure or recognition that it truly deserves, Manipur governor Najma Heptulla said on the inaugural day of 3-day Manipur International Symposium on Dance and Music at the Centenary Hall of Manipur University, Imphal, today.

This international symposium is significant as it will focus on the vibrant culture as well as bring out the beauty of our unity in diversity, the governor said.

The present symposium will become an important and prestigious event in the cultural calendar of the region. The symposium will encourage both archival research and fieldwork, seeking for advantages from different methodological approaches and using diverse source materials such as written chronicles, daily reports, letters, treatises on music, transcriptions, sound recordings and films that will contribute to the understanding of traditional dance and music of the region, she added.

The governor said the symposium will create an interdisciplinary cultural exchange and mutual understanding amongst the artistes belonging to the fraternity. It will help the local students in widening their knowledge and share ideas with eminent artistes of Indian classical dance forms including foreign artistes in panel discussion, lecture-cum-demonstration and performances artistes from other states and abroad.

Stating that Indian culture and traditions have achieved global recognition, the governor said that the state has a rich cultural heritage and its traditional art forms are widely acclaimed.

The theme of the symposium is relevant especially in the context of Manipur, as the rich and variegated traditional art forms need to be invigorated and place in a suitable perspective. The symposium is a unique effort to improve the cultural ties with neighbouring countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan, she added.

Vice-chancellor, Manipur University of Culture, M. Lakshmikumar Singh,  said the event will give an open opportunity to all not only to deliver on culture but also to witness the various performing arts.

Jarnail Singh, Administrator, Manipur University, said that the panel discussion and the performances with critics will benefit the teachers and students. The international participation will further strengthen the international relations through their performance of dance and music, he added.

N. Munish Singh, regional director, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, NE Region, professor Ch. Yashwanta Singh, dean, School of Humanities, Manipur University, faculties of Manipur University of Culture, faculties of Department of Dance and Music, Manipur University and students attended the inaugural function.

The symposium was organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Regional Office, Shillong in collaboration with the Department of Dance and Music, Manipur University and Manipur University of Culture.

It will have Panel Discussion, Lecture cum Demonstration of Dance and Music at the Centenary Hall at Manipur University and Valedictory Function will be held at MFDS Auditorium on March 30.