Manipur chief minister N Biren SIngh inaugurates the first Nupi (women) drama festival and National Seminar on Theatre in India’s North East at Keirao on the outskirts of Imphal on Tuesday afternoon.
The 10-day women drama festival is being held at the picturesque Khenjonglang Theatre Complex located on the hillock of Keirao area, 14 km east of Imphal.
The festival is organized by Khengjonglang,a centre of theatre research,production and community welfare in collaboration with Sangeet Natak Akademi Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance.
Speaking on the occasion chief minister N Biren expressed concern over menace of drug abuse in the State.
Informing that many men had died and many others are suffering from it leaving behind their families, Biren observed that another women’s movement like that of historic Nupi Lal (women’s war in the past) to curb the menace is need of the hour.
Lauding the move to take leading roles by womenfolk in different matters by organizing women drama fest, the chief minister said theatre plays a significant role in maintaining harmony among people and educating the masses on social evils.
He also said there is no dearth of talent in the State as Manipur has many towering figures in the field of theatre.
Assuring that a primary health sub-centre at Keirao besides taking up various other developmental programs as per the wishes of the people of the area, he urged the public not to occupy or construct buildings on paddy fields and agricultural lands by violating the existing Act.
In his speech, Keirao MLA L Rameshwor highlighting the difficulties of the people of his constituency due to absence of the necessary facilities and other necessary infrastructure, drew the attention of the chief minister in addressing the grievances of the people.
He also expressed serious concern over the conversion of many agriculture lands into other forms against the existing government regulations in his constituency.
Noted theatre director Kirti Jain who attended the day’s inauguration function along with eminent theatre personalities such as Heisnam Ongbi Sabitri and Maya Krishna Rao, also spoke on the occasion.
J N Manipur dance akademi director L Upendra and festival chairman K Radhakumar were also present during the day’s event.
According to director Dr S Thaninleima of the festival, the main objective of the 10-day festival is to empower the women in the region through their works.
A souvenir of the festival was also released on the occasion. Altogether 10 plays directed by women directors of the Northeast will be staged during the fest apart from holding national seminar on theatre focusing women in theatre etc.