Manipur Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo Singh on Sunday called upon all to help in reviving performing art forms of the Manipuris, including short plays.
Expressing concern over substantial decline of theatre performances in the state while addressing the 53rd Short Play Competition for Creative Directors-2022, Dingo said many theatre associations are no longer in existence today putting the fate of the state's performing art forms in uncertainty.
The programme, organised by the Theatre Centre, Manipur in collaboration with Manipur State Kala Akademi, was held on Sunday at Manipur Dramatic Union, Yaiskul Police Lane, Imphal West.
The state, however, is fortunate enough to have some renowned theatre personalities still playing pivotal roles in the preservation and promotion of this art form, he said. There is a need for a collective effort to revive the wave of theatre plays in the state to its former glory, he added.
“It is because of the dedication and contribution made by artists, the rich cultural heritage of Manipur could be glorified at national and international levels. However, artistes have been suffering for livelihood. To address it, the state government has also started providing assistance to them,” Dingo said.
Theatre Centre, Manipur, president Wareppa Naba, who had attended the function as president drew the attention of the state government to recognise Theatre Centre, Manipur as an apex cultural organisation of Manipur.
"Theatre Centre, Manipur was set up in 1954. The centre has been actively working for the last 68 years continuously with courage. There were as many as 150 theatre groups in the state and many of them remain inactive. Theatre Centre, Manipur deserve to recognise as one of the apex cultural organization of Manipur," Naba said.
Pointing out that artistes of Manipur have been striving hard for their livelihood, he appealed to the state government to frame cultural policy.
