Pandemic can't bog down enthusiasm of LFCA's children

Rajmani Ayekpam *

Student of Lianda folk and Classical Academy performed Gostha Lila at JNMDA, Imphal in Oct 2014 :: Pix - Lamdamba Oinam

One interesting thing during this great pandemic was that artistic activity for children of Lianda Folk and Classical Academy (LFCA) even continued. It is said that to do nothing is the most boring thing in the life.

As an artiste without any artistic activity such a long time is the hardest thing in life. Luckily, LFCA’s workshop on Intensive Workshop on Manipuri Dance for Children is due for the year 2018-19 under the Cultural Function & Production Grant Scheme, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India as a result of this great Covid-19 pandemic.

So, LFCA organized Intensive Workshop on Manipuri Dance for Children for few enthusiastic children by keeping SOPs. This workshop enabled to do some artistic activity for LFCA’s children during this great pandemic.

After completing Intensive Workshop, the closing function of the workshop was held on Wednesday, the 30th of December, 2020 at 1.00 pm in the Golden Jubilee Auditorium of Manipuri Jagoi Marup at Lamboikhongnangkhong, UK Road, Imphal.

The dignitaries on dais were Shri Ajit Das, Chairman, Ranganiketan as Chief Guest, Shri N Tiken Singh, Director, Progressive Artiste Laboratory as President and Shri Rajmani Ayekpam, Art Critic, as Guest of Honour respectively.

The Lianda Folk and Classical Academy (LFCA) was established in the year 2000 with a reverent aspiration and hopes for preservation and development of classical and traditional art of Manipur. The institution mainly aims to train and impart knowledge of folk and classical art and philosophy in various forms to the young enthusiastic youths of all caste and creed.

Further, it aims to encourage studying and documenting the works of the living exponents on Manipuri folk dance and to do research on the Arts Philosophy.

Since its inception the Academy has ventured to run a regular three years course on Manipuri classical dance in traditional systems (Guru Syeshya Parampara). The Academy has produced many artistes and most of the qualified students have participated in many events at Local, Regional, National and International level. In short, the contribution of this institution to the promotion of Manipuri Classical & Folk Dance in National mainstream is remarkable.

The LFCA exposed our beautiful rhythms of Manipuri classical and folk dance at many National and international stages like prestigious Khajuraho Festival, 2001, 2012, Lokrang Festival, Bhopal, 2003, 2004, 2012, International Cultural Mart, 2013, Indian Dance Evening at Mandalay, 2015, Surin International Folklore Festival, Thailand, 2016 etc.

Lianda Folk and Classical Academy’s activity is concentrated on nurturing budding talent of the State. On the other hand, LFCA training programme on holidays is more suitable for this day’s children of competitive world. So, a good number of enthusiastic children participated this Intensive Training programme. Catch them young is the best motto for the promotion of artistic world.

There are so many cultural institutions and organizations in the State which deals with only those artistes who had passed out from dance institutions and University and there’s hardly any organizations which focused their activities for the promotion of budding talent. From this angle, those promotional programmes taken up by LFCA is encouraging and is one of the most needed things to do.

On the closing day programme, there were seven items of solo and group dance presented by the participating children. There were

I) Krishna Nartan,
presented by Lexie Thingbaijam (Lele) choreographed by Padmashri Th. Babu Singh and guided by Guru Th. Chourajit Singh,

II) Roop Barnan
presented by Elizabeth Irom and choregraphed by A. Raseswori Devi,

III) Gouranga Roop Barnan
presented by R.K. Silbhiya Sana and choreographed by A. Raseswori Devi,

IV) Hari Riha (Group Dance) presented by
Yumnam Lanchenbi, Konika Sanjenbam, Samurailatpam Velentina,
Gurumayum Italy, Elizabeth Irom, Lairenlakpam Helena and R.K. Silbhiya Sana
and choreographed by Padmashri Th. Babu Singh;

V) Taal Pravandha
presented by Y. Lanchenbi Devi and choreographed by A. Raseswori Devi ,

VI) Krishna Roop
presented by Konika Sanjenbam and choreographed by Padmashri Th. Babu Singh and lastly

VII) Kom Dance
presented by Sagolsem Athoibi Chanu, Laishram Jenebi Devi,
Huidrom Lanchenbi Devi, Chungkham Panthoi Devi, Kangujam Kenu Devi,
Laishram Nandita Devi, Ngariyanbam Predila Devi, Phougeisangbam Triti Devi,
Samurailatpam Velentina, Lairenlakpam Helena Devi, Elizabeth Irom,
Angom Yaichenbi Devi, Laishram Lanchenbi Devi,
Mayanglambam Dolly Devi, Thounaojam Vendy Devi and Mutum Pritisia Devi
and instructors on dance programme were Joyrita Laishram,
Moirangthem, Daina Devi, Thokchom Babita Devi and Laishram Shanti Meitei.

Credit lines for these dance programmes were
Pebam Chingsanglakpa, Ng. Priyananda Sharma and G. Krishnananda Sharma for make-up,
Khuman Costume Centre for Costume, Akavision for Documentation,
Sanajaoba Lamboi Khongnangkhong for Light & Sound,
Lianda Folk & Classical Academy for Production,
Joyrita Laishram and Th. Babita Devi for Stage, Nelson Sharma,
H. Niseswor, L. Prithibiraj, Th. Nokul, I. Robert and W. Romen as Musicians,
Y. Geetarani Devi, A. Gyatri Devi and Sanahanbi Devi as Singers,
L. Shanti Meitei as Stage Manager, S. Lianda Devi as Production Manager and
lastly A. Raseswori Devi as Project Director.

The performance of seven items presented by budding artistes of LFCA on Manipuri classical and folk dance is worth to mention at their standard since they are all beginners in Manipuri dance.

Such kind of training programme has given them a platform to nurture their talent. When they attain maturity they will be assets for the growth of Manipuri dance. It is said that children are the pillars of the Nation.