Raising serious concerns that Nata Sankirtana, one of the performing arts of Manipur, is not getting any privilege for preservation, director of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA), Manipur, Pukhrambam Bilash said that the art form is heading towards oblivion despite being recognised by the UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
He was speaking at the observance of the 8th International Sankirtana Day Celebration on Saturday at JNMDA. It was organised by the 8th International Sankirtan Day Celebration Committee in association with various other associations and research groups working in the field of Nata Sankirtan.
Attending the function as chief guest, Bilash said that it was a matter of pride for the state when Nata Sankirtan was enlisted as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 4, 2013. However, this unique performing arts form consisting of ritual drumming, singing and dancing has been dying out each day. There is a need for support and cooperation from certain quarters of society to preserve this age-old art form.
He further said that many people working in this field had shared about various forms of Sankirtan and their present scenario. It is high time to figure out all the existing forms and conduct an in depth research about them. The JNMDA will extend efforts to preserve and promote the Nata Sankirtana of Manipur, he added.
Padmashree Awardee, Sougaijam Thanil Singh; Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, Leimapokpam Lakpati Singh and Aribam Brajakumar Sharma attended as guests of honour and president respectively at the event.
