Manipur Governor inaugurates MSKA golden jubilee; confers Akademi awards

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Aug. 8 (EMN): Governor of Manipur and West Bengal La Ganesan on Monday inaugurated the golden jubilee celebration of Manipur State Kala Akademi (MSKA),

He presented Akademi Awards-2020 (2018-2020) to 27 selected individuals for their outstanding contributions in the diverse fields of art and culture, tribal culture, literature and fine arts in the state.

Speaking to the gathering 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 was an occasion to remember all those who have contributed to this remarkable journey. The Akademi, since its inception, has been making efforts on a 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 outstanding scholars and artistes every year 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 and Culture including MSKA Lifetime Achievement Award.

In his speech, Education Minister Th Basantakumar Singh said, MSKA 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), Manoharmayum Guneshwari Devi (Dance) and Chongtham Kamala Devi (Modern Manipuri Music), etc. are among the awardees who were conferred Akademi Awards on Monday.