Imphal: Governor of Manipur & West Bengal La. Ganesan Monday conferred the first Lifetime Achievement Award to M.K. Binodini Devi, one of the most distinguished cultural icons of Manipur.
He also inaugurated the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipur State Kala Akademi (MSKA) and presented Akademi Awards-2020 (2018-2020) to 27 persons for outstanding contributions in the diverse fields of Art & Culture, Tribal Culture, Literature and Fine Arts in the State.
Speaking to the gathering held at Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy 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 a sustained basis for the 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 artists 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.
Governor said 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 fields by holding workshops, seminars, symposia, exhibitions, and 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. Basanta Kumar Singh said, MSKA has been taking the lead role in the 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 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. were among the Awardees which were conferred Akademi Awards.
