Dance performances mark opening day of Bhagyandra dance festival
Jagat notes Manipur's place on cultural map / Newmai News Network
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 11 2011: The main dance performance of the '9th Bhagyachandra National festival 2001'was inaugurated by Governor Gurbachan Jagat today at Shri Shri Govindaji temple, Kangla here.

Addressing the gathering at the occasion, Governor Gurbachan Jagat said dance and music which are an integral part of culture and tradition of any civilization have developed through the ages and are a part and parcel of human life.

He noted that historical records indicate that several centuries before the birth of Christ all theatrical arts of India were already developed.

But today's dance is the result of the past one century of activity and it should be the bounden duty of the present generation to preserve and promote the Indian dances, he added.

He said the idea of organizing the Bhagyachandra dance festival was conceived during 1989 with the ambition of placing the festival on the cultural map of India in the line of much acclaimed Konark and Khajuraho festivals.

A solo performance underway at the Bhagyachandra National Dance Festival

"I hope that the National festival organized in memory of a celebrated king of Manipur, Bhagyachandra, who had completely renounced the materialistic world and has been most popularly known as Rajashri Bhagyachandra and was the exponent of Manipuri classical dance, will prove to be the thread to bind the people of Manipur with those of other parts of the country and also one of the key factors for National understanding and integration" .

Asserting that organizing a festival of any kind provides a good opportunity to the participants for displaying their talents and also to meet together and exchange their ideas and experience in their respective fields, Gurbachan said he is confident that the present festival would provide the opportunity to the artistes/dancers in this regard.

He also expressed hope that the efforts of the organizers will go a long way towards preservation and promotion of Manipur's cultural heritage.

Around 40 dance troupes and individuals from other states are participating in the main dance performances of the festival.

Besides Governor, Dr..KSobita, member secretary organizing committee, Bhagyachandra National festival of Classical dance 2011 among other attended the inaugural function.