Imphal, Feb. 4 : Manipur is also known for its rich tradition of theatre, which has been used as an important tool or medium to highlight major burning social issues and create awareness in the society.

With an aim to promote, nurture and accelerate theatre movement in the state, Manipur State Kala Academy recently organised the
26th All Manipur Drama Festival at the Manipur Dramatic Union hall in the State capital.

The drama festival was a venture to provide a common platform for all the playwrights, directors, actors, and designers of Manipur to meet, exchange ideas, views and interact with each other.

Such festivals have helped theatre grow and made it possible for Manipuri theatre artists to compete with the best at the international-level.

"The standard of the production are higher day-by-day and some of the eminent Manipuri directors even gained recognition in international arena. If assessment is given, the present trend is at par with other theatre groups at national and international-level," said Bideswar Sharma, Asst. Secretary of the Manipur State Kala Academy.

"The festival organised by the Manipur State Kala Academy is the biggest drama festival in the State. I feel really happy participating in the festival. Looking at the present context in Manipur, we don''t have much privilege in theater. However, State Kala Academy organising such festival has provided us a platform to perform and we are really happy," said Dipak Maibam, one Manipuri artist

"This festival organised by state Kala Academy encourages theater artists. This is the biggest drama festival and as an artist it would be incomplete if we don''t participate in the event," said L. Sancharani Devi, another Manipuri artist

The play enacted was "The Tigress Story" written by writer and dramatist Dario Fo staged by the Dramatic Education Artistic Labour Reperatory Theatre, Langjing. (ANI)