Workshop on musical instruments

IMPHAL, October 28: The 15 day Workshop on Indigenous Musical Instruments of Manipur concluded today at the Tribal Museum and Research Centre, Sagolband Bijoy Govinda Akham Leikai.

The valedictory function was attended by Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee and Ethnomusiologist, Laishram Birendrakumar, former director NEZCC, Dimapur Aheibam Birendra and Director IGRMS prof KK Mishra as the chief guest, president and guest of honour, respectively.

Laishram Birendrakumar said in his speech that there are more than 30 tribes in the state.

“The map we see of Manipur today is just the political map; however the musical map is much far and wide”.

Aheibam Birendra said that there are 35 tribes in Manipur and every tribe mingling with each other over centuries. Artefacts of each tribes are still maintained at the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahlaya (National Museum of Mankind), Bhopal.

He said the 15 day workshop is a living example of unity amongst the people of Manipur since time immemorial.

Speaking on the occasion, KK Mishra expressed that not many people know about the existence of such museum in Manipur.

Elaborating on the existence of such museums, he said that the Bhopal museum is quite the contrary to the people’s perspective of a museum.

He elaborated, that people usually see a museum where items are displayed in a glass box, however the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahlaya (National Museum of Mankind), Bhopal is quite different from a conventional museum spreading across 200 acres with open space displays of antiques from across the country and outside.

He also expressed, “Due to globalization we are losing our culture including our musical instruments”.

“The introduction of Jazz music in the country has adversely affected our indigenous music.”

“Indigenous musical instrument makers are hard to find today in the country”, he said.