Mail News Service
\nImphal, Aug 8 : Manipur State Kala Academy Awards Presentation Ceremony, 2010 was held today at J.N. Manipur Dance \u201cAcademy Auditorium, Imphal with Manipur Governor Shri Gurbachan Jagat and Chief Minister Shri O. Ibobi Singh as Chief Guest and President respectively. Altogether 16 persons in different fields were presented the Academy Awards, Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Minister said that healthy cultural traditions serve as bridge between societies and communities. They bind human beings together. They promote assimilation, association and cooperation rather than conflict among them, he added. He said, Manipur has had an ancient heritage of peaceful coexistence of communities. However this heritage, at times appears to be threatened and cultural traditions have a great role to play in restoring the balance to our society, he added.
\nThe Chief Minister said that Manipur has a special identity owing to its unique culture. He described Manipur as a fascinating land which has its recorded history of about 2000 years. Our forefathers have blessed with us an unbroken ancient cultural tradition. Onus is on us to preserve and promote this glorious tradition; he said and added that efforts of Manipur State Kala Academy should be aimed at such promotion and preservation.
\nThe Chief Minister also said that the Academy has instituted a new Award \u201cAcademy Young Talent Awards\u201d to be given to young promising exponents of various art forms. Selection of Awardees will be purely on merit and significant contribution in the respective fields irrespective of race, religion and sex. He also said that he was impressed with the efforts of Manipur State Kala Academy which has been trying to promote and preserve the Manipuri art and culture.
\nThe Chief Minister said that (L) Smt. MK Binodini Devi was one of the most distinguished cultural icons of Manipur who was conferred the first Academy Lifetime Achievement Award and acknowledged her outstanding contribution in the field of Manipuri culture.
\nIt may be mentioned that since its inception in 1972, Manipur State Kala Academy, Imphal has conferred 362 Awards in different fields of Art and Culture and has honoured 66 persons as Fellows. Recipients include fellows distinguished artists, artistes, writers and scholars who represent highest standard of excellence in the field of dance, music, theatre, shumang leela, thang-ta, tribal culture and other art forms.<\/p>\n\n