Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday graced the presentation ceremony of the Manipur State Kala Akademi (MSKA) Awards 2023 and 2024, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Akademi in Imphal. Altogether 69 distinguished individuals were conferred the prestigious Manipur State Kala Akademi Awards (MSKA), in a diverse range of categories, including the MSKA Lifetime Achievement Award, Fellowships, and awards in Dance, Music, Shumang Leela, Thang-Ta, Tribal Culture, Literature, as well as the Young Talent and Young Writer Awards.
Notably, Thoidingjam Tombi Singh was conferred the MSKA Lifetime Achievement Award, among other eminent awardees recognised for their significant contributions to the arts and culture of the State.
Addressing the ceremony, the Governor said the Manipur State Kala Akademi Awards for 2023 and 2024 was an occasion to celebrate both individual excellence and the collective cultural heritage of the State.
Bhalla commended the awardees across all categories, emphasising that their achievements reflect Manipur’s longstanding artistic brilliance, seen in its classical Raas, Lai Haraoba traditions, folk dances, and music traditions drawn from both the valley and the hills.
He remarked that these diverse cultural expressions embody the State’s history, identity, and community spirit, earning admiration from across the world. The event also featured a captivating solo dance performance by one of the Young Talent Awardees, adding a vibrant artistic highlight to the ceremony. Members of the public, eminent personalities from the arts and cultural fraternity, and senior government officials also attended the function.
