Manipur Governor Dr Najma Heptulla conferred Manipur State Kala Akademi Award 2014 to notable artists of the state, on Sunday.
Dr Heptulla, who is also the Chairperson of the Manipur Sate Kala Akademi presented the awards at a function held in Maharaja Chandrakirti Auditorium, Palace Compound, Imphal.
The Akademi Award was presented to 27 awardees including 2 fellows and 6 Young Talent Awards.
The award was given to the artists for their outstanding contribution in the fields of Dance, Music, Traditional theatre, Literature, Mime, Shumang Leela, Thang Ta, tribal culture, fine arts etc.
The classical Manipuri dance Raas Leela is credited for putting Manipur on the cultural map of the world. Speaking as the Chief Guest, the Governor congratulated the awardees for enhancing the cultural cause of Manipur.
The Governor also stressed that the cultural scene of the state is extremely colourful owing to the presence of large number of different communities in the state with its own distinctive form of music, dance and attire.
The Government of Manipur set up the Manipur State Kala Akademi as an autonomous body in 1972 to recognize and promote the varied forms of cultural activity in the state.
The awardees performed at the event which was attended by noted artists and art lovers of the state.