Imphal, March 11: Kanglei Indigenous Martial Arts and Cultural Society (KIMACS) has urged the Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi for widening the scope and curriculum being offered under Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy so that it could encompass the culture of all the ethnic groups living in Manipur.

In a memorandum submitted to the secretary of Sangeet Natak Akademi Jayanta Kastura who is presently on a visit to Imphal, the Society noted that under the joint initiative of Directorate of Arts and Culture, Government of Manipur and KIMACS, a State level committee on common syllabus on Thang-Ta has been formed under the leadership of Padmashree and Sangeet Natak Akademi Ratna Pundit N Khelchandra Singh on February 12, 2007.This is a major step towards formulating a common syllabus for Thang-Ta and the same should be taught in the schools and colleges of Manipur, the memorandum said, while urging for taking up necessary measures for opening up a separate department for this purpose.

To broaden the scope of teaching more tribal dance forms in JNMDA, the memorandum suggested inclusion of dances of other Government recognised tribes in Manipur.

At present only Kabui and Mao dances are being represented.

While urging for promotion of JNMDA as a deemed university, the memorandum further pleaded for taking up steps so that the degrees/diplomas awarded by JNMDA is recognised by the University Grant Commission.

In order to facilitated students from the peripheral areas of Manipur and outside the State in pursuing studies ion Manipuri dance and martial arts, the Society mooted construction of two hostels of the Academy, one for the ladies and the other for the gents.

The memorandum further appointed out that the present set up in JNMDA does not have separate library building, adequate classrooms, study materials and toilet facilities.

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