An open letter to the Governor of Manipur To the Honourable Governor of Manipur. (In his capacity as the Chief Rector of Manipur University, Canchipur)
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Respected Sir,
Khurumjari. I write to you regarding the strange contortions the Executive Council of Manipur University has been performing lately. The University took the decision to honour three personalities of the State with the honoris causa degree for extraordinary contributions in the field of art and culture. To put that decision to die a forgotten death, the University went ahead with its 15th Convocation on the 27th of March this year without honouring its decision of 2022. Subsequent notification in the newspaper as an explanation for the exception, instead of explaining, is rather self-incriminating.
To treat Ratan Thiyam and Guru Sougaijam Thanil Singh in such a demeaning fashion could have complex factors at play. But one thing is for sure. The subterfuge now exposed and on display validates the newspaper report that interventions were made to block the conferring of the degree. Ratan Thiyam and Guru Sougaijam Thanil Singh are now no more with us. I am the only one alive of the three. If I were to remain silent, I would be insulting the memory of these two personalities. I may, therefore, be forgiven my impertinence.
As per the report, the conferment of the honorary degrees was blocked at the last minute on the ground that the personalities are not deserving.
There are times in life when one faces the dilemma "whether to cry or to laugh." Coming to know the reason for the intervention could be one of those moments. Ratan Thiyam is considered by his able peers to be one of the greatest theatre directors that "Bharat" has ever produced. Sougaijam Oja Thanil Singh is similarly considered by his peers as one of the finest Nat-Sankirtana gurus of Manipur.
I am now ninety years of age; quite a ripe age by any standard. Kindly take this letter as an old man's plea that the powerful decision makers spare the likes of us from such repeated intrigues and disgraces.
Yours sincerely,
Aribam Syam Sharma,
Filmmaker
Khurumjari. I write to you regarding the strange contortions the Executive Council of Manipur University has been performing lately. The University took the decision to honour three personalities of the State with the honoris causa degree for extraordinary contributions in the field of art and culture. To put that decision to die a forgotten death, the University went ahead with its 15th Convocation on the 27th of March this year without honouring its decision of 2022. Subsequent notification in the newspaper as an explanation for the exception, instead of explaining, is rather self-incriminating.
To treat Ratan Thiyam and Guru Sougaijam Thanil Singh in such a demeaning fashion could have complex factors at play. But one thing is for sure. The subterfuge now exposed and on display validates the newspaper report that interventions were made to block the conferring of the degree. Ratan Thiyam and Guru Sougaijam Thanil Singh are now no more with us. I am the only one alive of the three. If I were to remain silent, I would be insulting the memory of these two personalities. I may, therefore, be forgiven my impertinence.
As per the report, the conferment of the honorary degrees was blocked at the last minute on the ground that the personalities are not deserving.
There are times in life when one faces the dilemma "whether to cry or to laugh." Coming to know the reason for the intervention could be one of those moments. Ratan Thiyam is considered by his able peers to be one of the greatest theatre directors that "Bharat" has ever produced. Sougaijam Oja Thanil Singh is similarly considered by his peers as one of the finest Nat-Sankirtana gurus of Manipur.
I am now ninety years of age; quite a ripe age by any standard. Kindly take this letter as an old man's plea that the powerful decision makers spare the likes of us from such repeated intrigues and disgraces.
Yours sincerely,
Aribam Syam Sharma,
Filmmaker