Syam Sharma delivers lecture on Vaishnavism in Manipur at Purvottari

NEW DELHI, Jan 17 : Eminent film maker Aribam Syam Sharma delivered lecture on the topic-`Rajarshi Bhagyachandra and Vaishnavism in Manipur` yesterday in the programme of Special Lecture Series of the Purvottari 2009- Spirit of the North East at Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) complex here.

He presented his lecture through showing his documentary film - Rajarshi Bhagyachandra produced by the Films Division. The film depicted the installation of image of Shri Shri Govindajee and creation of various forms of Manipuri Ras Leela, and also highlighted the beautiful impact of Vaishnavite culture of Manipur.

Well known theatre personality MK Raina who was in the chair spoke various aspects of rich art and culture of Manipur. Dr. Kapila Vatsayan, a renowned culture personality who was the former chairman of the IGNCA made suggestions for documentation of various forms of Lai Haraoba in Manipur like Kanglei Haraoba, Thangjing Haraoba etc. and its contemporary situation. She also suggested to the IGNCA to organise a separate festival for Manipur for showcasing its aesthetical elements of different kinds of art and culture available in Manipur.

Special Lecture Series is a daily evening programme for intellectuals organized as a part of the Purvottari- Spirit of the North East. On the first day on January 13, David Symlieh, Professor of History from NEHU, Meghalaya spoke on the topic - `History writing on North East India: periodisation, varieties, concerns`.

Gautam Sengupta delivered lecture on `Art of the Brahmaputra Valley: Formative centuries` yesterday. Mamang Dai will speak on - `Myth, Memory and Meaning` tomorrow, Rajen Saikia on `Rise of the Assamese Middle Class: Quest for National Identity` and DJ Borah on `Inventing and Reinventing Identities: the case of North East` on January 17 and 18 respectively.