69 artistes honoured with Manipur State Kala Akademi Awards

IMPHAL — Sixty-nine individuals were conferred the Manipur State Kala Akademi (MSKA) Awards in a ceremony held on Friday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Akademi, Imphal.

The honours included the MSKA Lifetime Achievement Award, Fellowships, and awards across Dance, Music, Shumang Leela, Thang-Ta, Tribal Culture, Literature, and the Young Talent and Young Writer categories.

Prominent artiste Thoidingjam Tombi Singh was among those recognised with the MSKA Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside other awardees acknowledged for their contributions to the arts and cultural heritage of the state.

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Presenting the MSKA Awards 2023 and 2024, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla said the occasion celebrated both individual excellence and the collective cultural traditions that distinguish Manipur. He commended the awardees and noted that their achievements reflect the state’s artistic brilliance, evident in its Raas and Lai Haraoba traditions, folk dances, and musical heritage drawn from both the hills and the valley.

He said these cultural expressions embody the history, identity and community spirit of Manipur, earning admiration beyond the state. The Governor also highlighted the role of the Manipur State Kala Akademi since its establishment in 1972, saying its fellowships and awards remain the highest recognition for artistes, writers and practitioners of fine arts in Manipur.

He expressed satisfaction that the two-year backlog of awards had been cleared under his guidance, ensuring rightful recognition for deserving artistes. The programme also featured a solo dance performance by a Young Talent Awardee.

Members of the public, cultural personalities and senior officials attended the function.

Later in the evening, the Governor chaired a meeting of the organising committee for the 4th State Level Barak Festival 2025 at Lok Bhavan, Imphal. The festival will be held from December 12 to the 14th under the theme ‘Heritage in Harmony’.

The meeting reviewed budgetary requirements, programme schedules, transport arrangements, promotion strategies and plans to strengthen the Barak Festival as a leading cultural tourism event. The Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Administrative Secretaries, and officials from Senapati district, along with other stakeholders, participated in the discussions.