The festival, organised by the Forward Artistes Centre En-Camped (FACE), was held under the aegis of Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi in collaboration with Urungpurel Museum and Heritage Research Centre.

Addressing the function as chief guest, former minister of Art and Culture, Dr M Nara Singh said: "It is unfortunate to know about the present dying condition of Khulang Eshei. Not only this, many other art forms of the state are in vulnerable situations. There is utmost need for safeguarding all performing arts of the state".

Director of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, P Bilash Singh said that many art forms of the state are endangered and amongst them Khulang Eshei is one of them.

Considering Manipur as one of the states with rich cultural heritage, Sangeet Natak Akademy funded a large amount of money to Manipur comparing with other states of India, he said.

FACE taking up the initiative for preservation and promotion of Khulang Eshei is highly appreciative, he said while informing that Khulang Eshei started performing since time immemorial.

“There is no written record of this art form. It is believed that this art form was started when our ancestors didn’t have any knowledge of how to read or write. As such it was continued as an oral traditional art form and mainly used in expressing feelings, emotion and ideas in rhythmic form,” he said.

He appealed to the youth of the state to play an important role in maintaining this art form.