Students of performing Arts of Manipuri traditional arts and culture should prioritise research of the art instead of prioritising on performing at ritual ceremony, said Nameirakpam Thambalngou Singh, retired senior pung guru of Sankritana Department, JNMDA, Imphal.
He was speaking as chief guest during the 17th Foundation Day celebration of the Academy of Indigenous Music (AIM) held at its auditorium located at Bamonkampu Mayai Leikai, Imphal East on Wednesday.
Thambalngou said, in the present scenario, most of the performing arts students are prioritising on performing at ritual ceremonies instead of doing research on their respective art form and instruments.
“I am known to society because of my instrument, not by myself. I take my instrument as my God and every student should value their respective instruments as their God and not as a mere musical instrument”, said Thambalngou.
He said every artiste should take the initiative to teach their children the basic knowledge of the Manipur art form so that they can understand the value of the musical instrument. Many of the children of famous gurus do not bother with the musical instruments used by their parents due to the lack of knowledge on Manipuri art and culture, he said.
In the present society the number of students who want to learn the Manipuri traditional art form and musical instrument has been decreasing. Organisations should also involve while promoting the art form, he added.
The society should know the value of the traditional musical instrument and art forms besides education, he added.
Retired senior guru, Raas Department, JNMDA, Imphal, Konsam Kumar Singh who is also advisor of AIM as president of the function said the traditional art forms of Manipur are dying and AIM has been trying to conserve the art form for years.
He said with the changing of time and with the help of various technologies the traditional art form of Manipur can be performed on various platforms within a limited duration.
Eshei Guru Sankritana department, JNMDA, Thokchom Sudhir Singh also attended the function as guest of honour.
As a part of the cultural programme a new production on “Basanta gi Leichal and Jagoi Shathek'' were demonstrated by the students of the institute.
