Altogether 69 distinguished personalities from Manipur were conferred with the state’s prestigious Manipur State Kala Akademi Awards (for the years 2023 and 2024) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy on Friday in Imphal.
The award, established in 1972, honours and recognizes the outstanding contributions of various personalities in promoting excellence in Manipuri arts and cultural heritage. The award includes artists, writers, and scholars in the field of Manipuri art and culture, covering performing arts (dance, music, theatre), traditional forms (Shumang Leela, Thang-Ta), tribal culture, and literature, with categories including Lifetime Achievement, Fellowships, General Awards, and Young Talent Awards, celebrating the state’s rich heritage.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who attended the ceremony as chief guest, commended all the awardees from various fields, stating that this achievement reflects Manipur’s longstanding artistic brilliance, visible in classical Raas, Lai Haraoba traditions, folk dances, and music from both the valley and the hills.
Manipur Governor A.K. Bhalla also highlighted the crucial role of the Manipur State Kala Akademi in the state and said its fellowships and awards represent the state’s highest recognition for artists, writers, and practitioners of fine arts. He further noted that the two-year backlog of awards was cleared, ensuring that all deserving artists received rightful recognition.
During the event, Manipur’s painter-sculptor Thoidingjam Tombi Singh was honoured with the MSKA Lifetime Achievement Award, among other eminent awardees recognised for their significant contributions to the arts and culture of Manipur.
