Imphal: A seven-day Manipuri Solo Dance festival “Okchari Yeningtha” organized by the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA), Imphal began at the auditorium of JNMDA, here Sunday.
Founder Director Chorus Repertory Theatre, Shamushang Dr. Ratan Thiyam, Deputy Secretary Sangeet Natak Akademi , New Delhi, Raju Das, Retd. Senior Choreographer, JNMDA, SNA Awardee Th. Chaotombi Singh and Director (i/c), JNMDA P. Bilash Singh graced the inaugural function as Chief Guest, Special Invitee, Guest of Honour and President respectively.
Addressing the occasion, Dr. Ratan Thiyam said well known artistes used to practice 6-8 hours daily for 10-15 years but in our context, we used to practice more at the time of festival. For an artist, there is no end until and unless he/she reaches the top position. Instead of confining merely to our state, we need to see or watch the standard of what other dance forms have touched in different parts of the country so that young, promising dancers of Manipur can derive inspiration from them.
Meitei Jagoi remains still for a long time due to lack of resources, so we need to step forward and uplift the same with JNMDA.
Students of dance are not equally treated as students of other fields and subjects. He advised them to focus only on what they are doing in any field as well as to know both theory and practice thoroughly.
It may be mentioned that the Academy is organising such festivals with the aim of encouraging and showcasing the talent of the upcoming stars and giving them the opportunity to display their individual talents. 34 young dancers from 24 different cultural institutions will participate in the “Okchari Yeningtha Festival. The festival will continue till 28th of this month.
