Governor inaugurates golden jubilee celebration of Manipur State Kala Akademi

Imphal, 8^thAugust, 2022 (DIPR): Governor of Manipur & West Bengal La. Ganesan today inaugurated the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipur State Kala Akademi (MSKA) and presented Akademi Awards-2020 (2018-2020), to 27 selected individuals for their outstanding contributions in the diverse fields of Art & Culture, Tribal Culture, Literature and Fine Arts in the State.

Speaking to the gathering at the inaugural ceremony held at the auditorium of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy in Imphal, Governor said, it has been a long and enriching journey of 50 years for MSKA. He said, it is an occasion to remember all those who have contributed to this remarkable journey. The Akademi, since its inception, has been making efforts on sustained basis for promotion, preservation and propagation of Manipur’s rich cultural tradition within and outside the State.   La. Ganesan further said that the Akademi has been honouring every year outstanding scholars and artistes in the fields of Music, Dance and the native theatrical tradition of Shumang Leela, Tribal Culture, other forms of Art, Fine Arts and Literature by conferring Fellowships and Awards. The Akademi has so far conferred 636 individuals with MSKA Awards in different fields of Art & Culture including MSKA Lifetime Achievement Award. The first Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred to M.K. Binodini Devi, one of the most distinguished cultural icons of Manipur.

Governor continued that established by the Government of Manipur in 1972 as its cultural agency, the Akademi outright grants from the Government for taking up work for preservation and promotion of Art and Culture. The Akademi organized many programmes and projects in different field by holding workshops, seminars, symposia, exhibitions, cultural exchange programmes from time to time. Governor also exuded confidence that the contribution made by the Akademi will help in the preservation, promotion and propagation of the rich cultural tradition of the State.

Education Minister Th. Basantakumar Singh while speaking at the gathering said, MSKA has been taking the lead role in preservation and promotion of Manipuri culture. He said, the Academi has been working relentlessly to showcase the rich cultural legacy to the national and international platforms. The Minister expressed confidence that the Akademi will further strive more for the preservation, promotion and propagation of Manipuri Culture in the coming days.

MSKA Fellow-Professor Nongmaithem Tombi Singh (Manipuri Culture & Literature), MSKA Fellow Pukhrambam Gandha Singh (Lairik Thiba-Haiba), Smt. Manoharmayum Guneshwari Devi (Dance) and Smt. Chongtham Kamala Devi (Modern Manipuri Music), etc. are among the Awardees which were conferred Akademi Awards today.

Commissioner Art & Culture M. Joy, L. Kishworjit Singh, Secretary, MSKA, scholars, artists and students participated among others in the ceremony.