Imphal, February 10: Along with participation by 11 male and 11 female groups, the 36th edition of All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival, 2008 has begun from today at the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound here today.

The festival is being organised by Manipur State Kala Akademi.

In his address as chief guest of the inaugural function presided over by noted Shumang Leela artist L Ibotombi Sharma who has immortalised the character of Abirkhan in the Shumang Leela of the same name, MLA Dr Ngairangbam Bijoy pointed out that Shumang Leela folk art of Manipur needs to be institutionalise so as to attract more artistes.

He also suggested that the playwrights of Shumang Leela should also come up with issues related to socio-political condition of the State and highlight problems like HIV/AIDS and other important issues.

While pointing out that the budget being allocated to the Directorate of Art and Culture which is under the Government of Manipur is very limited, the MLA expressed desire that the matter be taken up for discussion in the next Budget session of the Assembly.

Under the Government of Manipur, there is one dance college but no dance school.

So efforts should be made to covert the existing cultural centres as cultural schools and include various performing arts as academic components.

The State Government should also made necessary arrangements so that the artistes of the performing art forms in Manipur can become professional in their related fields, the MLA said.

In his presidential address, L Ibotombi Sharma described art and artistic talents as gifts of God and said it is easy yet at the same time very difficult.

Any attempt to understand any art form thoroughly like the attempt of a lame person to scale the submit of the mountain, he said.

He observed that inspite of the appreciation of the Shumang Leelas being performed these days by the people, there is the need to analyse the direction that this art form is taking today.

Besides entertaining the people, it would be essential to make the people understand the art form, he added.

To mark the occasion, the chief guest also released a brochure.

The Shumang Leela Eegi Nachom of Sangai Artistes' Association was performed to end the inaugural function.

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