Former Director, Department of Art & Culture, Government of Manipur, A Birendra Singh has passed away on Friday, leaving behind a legacy that has significantly contributed to the state’s administration, growth and development.
Born on October 1, 1947, Birendra completed his MA (English) from Guwahati University. He also served as the director, North East Zone Cultural Centre, Government of India, having more than 34 years of teaching and eight years of administrative experience.
He was also a life member of various organisations working on Art & Theater. Above this, he took major roles while working on deputation at the Art & Culture Department, Government of Manipur.
Among his notable achievements and contributions include developing the Cultural Complex at Palace Compound, Imphal, establishing the Directorate Office, development of the State Archives office, establishing the Department of Archeology Office, expansion of the Government Dance College Building, Government Music College campus on the same campus subsequently.
He also took pivotal roles in organising a one-month HiTech video workshop with Professor Earnesto Gusella and Tomiyo Sasaki, Buffalo University, Sponsored by Full Bright Foundation. He also launched Bhagyachandra National Dance Festival mount every alternate year after a lapse of five years. His collaboration with Raja Ram Mohon Roy Library foundation & the Manipur Library Association (MALA), successfully launched the first Book Fair in the state.
Birendra’s profound contributions also include launching the first Tourism Festival through MFDC in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur, mounting the first International Cultural Festival, launching the first International Polo Tournament, convincing the Planning Commission to develop Auditoria for the state.
Under his initiative, while working as secretary Manipur State Kala Academy (MSKA), microfilming of the ancient manuscripts was completed in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi. Notably, he also made immense efforts in organizing the first Meetei-Pangal Festival on the State Museum Complex and development of Hicham Yaicham Pat as a historical site.
While he was serving as the Managing Director of Manipur Film Development Corporation, Birendra procured a Betacam camcorder (3CCD) unit to produce video film that might be converted into regular 35 mm feature films and finalized the construction of programme of the MFDC Auditorium and entrusted the project to Manipur Development Society (MDS) chaired by the Chief Secretary, Manipur.
During his deputation in the North East Zone Cultural Centre, Government of India, he managed to procure prime land of 7 acres valued at Rs 4 crore contiguous to Shilpagram complex near Kala Kshetra at Panjabari, Guwahati, free of cost to develop NEZCC crap village during the tenure of the Chief Minister of Assam, Prafulla Kumar Mahanata.
Above his administrative accomplishments, he also made contributions in translating Chainarol (Ancient manuscript) into English for the International Committee of Red Cross and Red Crescent through the Human Rights Alert (HRA), Manipur.
Birendra’s untimely demise marks a significant loss to the society and the state as a whole. His unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting the Art and Culture of the state have left an indelible mark to all those who had the privilege of crossing paths with him.
