The Nupi Shumang Leela Best Production Award 2021 was presented to the Western Cultural Association for its play Pendraba Khunaigi Meirida. The Department of Art and Culture presented Nupi Shumang Leela awards at Th Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Imphal on Sunday.
The second and third best production awards of Nupi Shumang Leela were bagged by the Meitei Leimarol Art Performing Centre and the Women’s Art and Cultural Association respectively. Prizes were also distributed for a weekly quiz competition organised by the Regional News Unit, All India Radio as a part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Addressing the function as chief guest, Commissioner of Higher and Technical Education, M Harekrishna said that Manipuri women have been in the forefront in any social and political issues. It is proven by the historic incident of Nupi Lal. Manipuri women also played a significant role in removing Assam Rifles from Kangla, which will remain in the history of Manipur, he said.
The chief guest further said that promotion of girl child education is very crucial for the betterment of society. Providing proper education to a girl child is almost similar to educating a whole family because mother plays more roles in shaping their wards than father. People of the state should encourage girl child education by not giving them any family pressure or responsibility, the commissioner said.
The president of today’s function, Commissioner of Art and Culture, M Joy Singh said Shumang Leela is one of the important art forms of the state taking significant responsibility in spreading social issues. As such it could be regarded as one of the social engineering tools of the Manipuri society, he added.
The journey of this art form began during the then king Maharaj Chadrakirti. In the initial period, it was more of comedy but in due course of time, the structure of this performing arts has been changed and inclined more towards social issues, he added.
Assistant Director (News), All India Radio, Gin Gangte also attended the event as guest of honour.
The quiz competition organised by Regional News Unit, AIR Imphal was conducted in 16 sessions with three prizes given for every session winner.
It may be mentioned that the Nupi Shumang Leela competition was held from November 25 to December 2 in which eight groups participated. The competition was organised by the department of Art and Culture.
