IMPHAL, May 14: Shree Shree Govindaji Nartanalaya Government Dance College Department of Art & Culture, Govt. of Manipur has started a 3 day long festival of Kanglei Haraoba at the premise of Government Dance college also known as Ibudhou Marongkhong Chingdrensana Pakhangba Laibung, Palace Compound, Imphal.
College principal Adhikarimayum Ranjit Sharma while delivering the welcome address said that festival is partially sponsored by Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Kolkata.
The festival starts from 8am this morning with Laiphe Shetpa.
He continued that the festival has so much to offer however due to several reasons, it has to be shortened to just three days which he feels is not enough.
The structure is constructed in such a way that it brings you back to the time where actual ritual was performed.
Guest of Honour Secretary Manipur State Kala Akademi Vedeshwor Sharma stated that the students of the college should research more to dig into the depth of dances performed during the festival.
Lai Haraoba is the origin of Manipuri dance form; the other variations are its deviations. It is high time to document this festival to preserve our tradition. With the change in time, dance forms will be affected with little changes, however the central structure or basics of the dances should remain the Lai Haroaba dance, he said.
Chief guest Commissioner Arts & Culture RK Nimai Singh supplemented that transformation is compulsory but one need to hold on to their roots. In Manipur many research regarding art & culture been done but sadly any unique and sustainable output is not met.
He proudly said that though nat-sankritan is not recognized as classic in Indian art but has a lot of vibrancy.