Social and cultural activist Ibunghal Shyamal from Bangladesh who is on a visit to Manipur was given a warm reception by Patriotic Writers Forum (PAWF), Manipur and JN Manipur Dance Academy at different venues on Tuesday.
The event was attended by PAWF president Naoroibam Khamba Luwang, secretary Rakesh Naorem, former president Yaiskul Khwairakpam, senior member Ngathem Rabeichandra, life members Rk Baghat and Naorem Romila.
During the occasion, Ibunghal Shyamal was presented with a traditional Manipuri Iyong Phi, followed by a discussion on the celebration of Ningol Chakkouba and a Manipur language, literature and culture in Bangladesh.
Speaking on the occasion, PAWF Rakesh Naorem said that the forum had been organising Ningol Chakkouba at Tripura and Assam in 2013 and 2016 respectively. The forum is prepared to organise the Ningol Chakkouba at Bangladesh on October 27, he further said, appealing to the people to extend support in the celebration.
Welcoming the initiative of organising Ningol Chakkouba in Bangladesh, Ibunghal Shyamal said that the initiative will strengthen the bond of the Meitei diaspora in Bangladesh, and assured support from the Bangladesh Meiteis.
Welcoming Ibunghal Shyamal on his visit, PAWF president Naoroibam Khamba Luwang talked on the historical importance of Bangladesh in shaping the culture of Manipur.
Meanwhile, in a welcoming ceremony organised by JN Manipur Dance Academy at the academy hall, JN Manipur Dance Academy director P Bilash welcomed Ibunghal Shyamal.
The event was attended by JN Manipur Dance Academy teacher Thokchom Ibemubi, section officer accountant Chongtham Nabachandra and cultural activist Rakesh Naorem. As part of the programme, Ibunghal Shyamal interacted with the students. Ibunghal Shyamal urged the director of the academy to send a few teachers to teach traditional Manipuri dance and music in Bangladesh.
Speaking on the occasion, director of the academy P Bilash said that the academy is preparing to send teachers of traditional Manipuri dance and music to Bangladesh in November. The artistes of the academy are also preparing to present a cultural show in the upcoming Bangladesh journey, he added.
Thokchom Ibemubi mentioned that she had visited Bangladesh four times, and continued that she would join if the academy organised the visit in November. PAWF has been working to conserve the Manipuri culture in Bangladesh, said Rakesh Naorem. He recalled that PAWF had organised the first Indo-Bangla Manipuri Cultural Festival in 2018 and produced the first Indo-Bangla Manipuri film ‘Bangladesh ki Sana Tampak’.
Stressing on the importance of such cultural festivals to encourage cultural exchange, he commended the initiatives taken by Bangladeshi Meiteis for the conservation of the Manipuri cultures in Bangladesh.
