Culture is our identity : Nishikant

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 25: Without culture, it would be impossible for Manipur to identify herself and shine in the world. “We should promote our culture and identity,” said Nishikant Singh Sapam.
He was speaking at the ‘Vasantotsav, Festival of Holi Sankirtana 2020’ event at the premises of Sheidamkol, Haobam Marak, Ngangom Leikai today.
As chief guest of the event, Nishikant, owner of The Sangai Express said Manipur has her own rich age-old tradition and culture which have promoted the State’s identity and put her on the world map.
“Without culture, it would be impossible to identify ourselves and as such we should embrace and promote them. These are social values that we, the present generation should pass on to the next. Let’s all take collective responsibilities in preserving and promoting our tradition, art and culture,” Nishikant said.
Speaking about the event and the Holi festival, Nishikant said there are visible differences in the way the Holi festival is celebrated in Manipur and elsewhere in India.
Palla Ishei and sports events are not parts of the Holi festival in other States whereas they have become integral parts of the Yaoshang (Holi) festival in Manipur. During the festival in Manipur, every locality organises sports meets encouraging youngsters to take interest in sports, he said.
He also lauded Sheidamkol for organising the event aimed at promoting the culture and tradition associated with Holi Sankirtana.
It may be noted here that Sheidamkol is a school of Nata Sankirtana at Haobam Marak Ngangom Leikai.
Speaking at the event as president, State Awardee Kshetri Jugindro said the celebration of the Holi festival was  started in the early days by the people who follow Vaishnavism.
The festival started by King Bhagyachandra in Manipur is slowly losing its significance and aesthetics. Sheidamkol organising the event yearly would help preserve the festival and the school’s effort is laudable, he said.
Eminent theatre personality, Naba Wareppa, who attended the programme lauded Nishikant Singh Sapam for his contributions in organising and giving life to the Festival of Holi Sankirtana 2020.
He said the  “Vasantotsav, Festival of Holi Sankirtana” last year was postponed due to COVID-19.
“In the previous years, the  festival was organised under the aegis of the Sangeet Natak Akademi with some funding from it. However, the Sangeet Natak Akademi did not release any funds for the 2020 festival (held today) and as such the functionaries of Sheidamkol were worried that they would not be able to hold the festival.  Fortunately when the functionaries of Sheidamkol and artistes approached Nishikant for help, he readily showed his interest towards preserving the culture and assured to cover all the expenditures for the event,” Naba said appreciating Nishikant for his assistance and services toward the artistes and the people.
It may be noted here that Nishikant Singh Sapam has been engaged in various social and humanitarian services at Keishamthong Assembly Constituency and beyond. Besides providing monetary aids, water storage tanks and building houses for poor and needy people, he has been proactively contributing towards conserving the Sangai and Keibul Lamjao National Park. Apart from funding a Sangai breeding project, he is also providing monthly honorarium to tourist guides at the Keibul Lamjao National Park.
He joined mainstream politics last year and is planning to contest the General Assembly election from Keishamthong Assembly Constituency in 2022. The event was also attended by State Akademi Awardee and playwright, Ph Gunachandra Sharma. A souvenir “Vasantotsav: Festival of Holi Sankritana” was also published at the event.