69 individuals honored with State Kala Akademi Awards

IMPHAL, Dec 5 : A total of 69 distinguished individuals were conferred the prestigious Manipur State Kala Akademi Award (MSKA) in the presence of Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla during the award presentation ceremony held at Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Akademi, Imphal today.
The MSKA 2023 & 2024 were conferred for a diverse range of categories including MSKA Lifetime Achievement Award, Fellowships, and awards in Dance, Music, Shumang Leela, Thang-Ta, Tribal Culture, Literature, as well as the Young Talent and Young Writer Awards, said a press note issued by the Governor's Secretariat.
Notably, Thoidingjam Tombi Singh was conferred the MSKA Lifetime Achievement Award, among other eminent awardees recognised for their significant contributions to the arts and culture of the State.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Bhalla said that the award presentation ceremony was an occasion to celebrate both individual excellence and the collective cultural heritage of the State.
He commended the awardees across all categories, emphasising that their achievements reflect Manipur’s longstanding artistic brilliance, seen in its classical Raas, Lai Haraoba traditions, folk dances, and music traditions drawn from both the valley and the hills.
He remarked that these diverse cultural expressions embody the State’s history, identity, and community spirit, earning admiration from across the world.
Highlighting the pivotal role of the Manipur State Kala Akademi since its establishment in 1972, he stated that its fellowships and awards represent the State’s highest recognition for artistes, writers, and practitioners of fine arts.
The event also featured a captivating solo dance performance by one of the Young Talent Awardees, adding a vibrant artistic highlight to the ceremony. Members of the public, eminent personalities from the arts and cultural fraternity, and senior Government officials also attended the function.
Under the guidance of the Governor of Manipur, the two-year backlog of awards was cleared, ensuring rightful recognition for all deserving artistes.