Artistes plead for enactment of CMAT

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 14: Even though Manipur is on the world map for its rich heritage, art and culture, the artistes who fuelled and propelled the State to such glory have not been truly recognised yet. There is not a single dedicated scheme for welfare of the artistes during crisis, said famed Shumang Leela actor Shougrakpam Hemanta.
With no Shumang Leelas (plays) from months due to COVID-19 lockdown, the State artistes are left with very little means to earn livelihood. Other than their struggle for day-to-day survival, unforeseen health emergencies are taking a toll on their families. Such an artiste who has been struck the hardest is Chinglen Thiyam, popularly known to Manipuris as 'Commando Chinglen', said Hemanta who is also the lifetime secretary of Manipur State Shumang Leela Council.
Chinglen Thiyam, the veteran artiste had a stroke on June 2 and has since been undergoing treatment in hospital. On the day of the stroke, he was admitted at Little Clinic, a private hospital on Dingku Road, Imphal. He underwent surgery and was admitted in the ICU of the hospital. However, unable to cover the medical expenditure at the private hospital, the family shifted Chinglen to RIMS Hospital on June 12. He is in critical condition, said Hemanta.
Government and Ministers on many occasions have lauded the artistes of the State and called for preservation and promotion of the art forms and culture including Shumang Leela, but when one of the best artistes the State has ever seen is in serious condition in hospital, the Government has been silent, he said.
Hemanta further lamented that the Government is yet to implement the "Chief Minister's Artist Sing-gi Tengbang (CMAT)" which was announced on March 15.
Without any dedicated scheme, many of the artistes in their twilight years will have no means to earn livelihood. In fact, many have died poor and hapless without any assistance from the Government, he said.
"It is unfortunate and at the same time appalling that the Government, which prides itself in the rich art and culture, has not truly recognised the artistes who have put the State on the world map," said Hemanta appealing Government to implement the proposed 'Tengbang' (CMAT) at the earliest.
96-year-old comedian L Kunjaraj Meetei also lamented that the Government has not yet introduced any scheme to help the artistes. "In my age, the Tenbgang will have little meaning to me now. But, the Government must implement it for all the other artistes, who have a long way to go and are responsible for future growth of the State's art and culture sector," he said.
Renowned playwright and theatre director, Naba Wareppa too decried that the artistes have not been properly looked after by Governments for years. The Government and the people pride themselves for the State's rich art and culture.  However, majority of the artistes who fuelled and propelled the State to world stage, are leading a life of daily struggle. He stressed that the State Government should implement the CMAT for the welfare of the artistes at the earliest.