Celebrating Manipur Sankritan

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, December 4, 2019: To commemorate inclusion of Manipuri Nat Sankirtana in the UNESCO’s intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity ‘Celebrating Sankirtana of Manipur: India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ was organised at Banquet hall, 1st MR, Imphal, on Wednesday.

The programme was jointly organised by Intellectual Forum of North East, department of sankirtana, Manipur University of Culture, department of dance and music, Manipur University and Manipur Citizen Forum.

Manipur governor Dr. Najma Heptulla said State Level Committee of Nata Sankirtana has been observing Sankirtana Day in the state on this auspicious day commemorating induction of Sankirtana Music in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in the sitting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee in December, 2013.

The rich cultural heritage of Manipur is well recognised by the UNESCO and has a respectable presence in the international arena of culture. Manipur is today best introduced to the world through her rich performing arts and culture. It is through the Manipuri culture that the world knows the existence of such a tiny srate in this far-flung North Eastern part of the country, she added.

Heptulla reiterated that Manipuri dance is not the art of Manipur alone, it is also an art of this country as a whole. She said Manipur artistes have already performed thousand shows in our country and several countries overseas and brought commendation and recognition from various foreign countries. The grace and power of attracting viewers’ mind is superb in the elegant Manipuri dance which is a delicately sensitive type of classical dance including Nata Sankirtana music. It is our bounden duty to preserve, nurture and enrich Manipuri culture so that it may continue to enrich the Indian culture, she added.

Prof. N. Lokendra Singh, department of History, Manipur University deliberated on the topic ‘Safeguarding and Promotion of Sankirtana’ and suggested to take initiative to promote research work in Sankirtana.

Noted Gurus were also felicitated as a mark of respect for their dedication in safeguarding and promoting Sankirtana of Manipur.