IMPHAL, 6 NNN: The finishing touch on two \u201cintegrity pillars\u201d being erected by the state Art and Culture Department at Palace Compound in Imphal which based on the veracity of the age-old integrity of different ethnic groups in Manipur is almost ready to unveil.
\nThe two pillars which are to be officially named as \u2018integrity pillars\u2019 being erected at the cultural complex will signify that different ethnic communities in the state have co-existed with love for the past thousands of years, said K Sobita, Director, Art and Culture Department, Government of Manipur.
\nShe said the integrity pillars will also beautify the state cultural complex in Palace Compound, Imphal. One of the pillars is putting up at the main gate of Directorate of Art and Culture and the other one is erecting at the main gate of Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), Imphal.
\nThe pillar at the main gate of Directorate of Art and Culture depicts engraved figurines of man from different ethnic groups and other animals belonging to 17th and 18th centuries, Sobita disclosed. The other pillar at the main gate of BOAT displays several designs imprinted on various clothes used during that time, she said.
\nOver Rs 5 lakh has been spent on the development of the two stone pillars. These stones, measuring about 19 ft in length and 3.50 ft in diameter, were brought from Bishnupur district\u2019s Ningthoukhong Lokchao, said Mutua Bahadur, Camp Director of the development of the pillars. Twelve Meitei and tribal sculptors are doing the stone carving works, he said.
\nThe Manipur Government has been tirelessly developing the surrounding of the Palace Compound to make it a beautiful cultural complex for the last one decade. In the area, the Government has so far built buildings of City Convention, Manipur Film Development Corporation and complex of the Directorate of Art and Culture.<\/p>\n\n