GUWAHATI, Feb 17 � With an objective to preserve the cultural identity of the Bishnupriya Manipuri community, and to provide a platform for interaction among the intellectuals, the Bishnupriya Manipuri Writers� Forum along with the organising committee formed for the purpose, is organising International Bishnupriya Manipuri Literary and Cultural Festival 2012, on February 18 and 19.
The programme to be organised at the District Library auditorium, would be inaugurated by Kartiksena Sinha, ex-MLA and chairman of Bishnupriya Manipuri Development Council on Saturday at 11 am.
�The Bishnupriya Manipuri people have fought a long battle to get a distinct cultural and literary identity of their own. The festival is our attempt to preserve the same,� Lakhmindra Sinha, president of the writers forum told The Assam Tribune.
�However, since the majority of Bishnupriya Manipuri people of Assam live in the Barak Valley, there is still a communication gap between us and the greater Assamese intellectual group. To minimise this gap, we have invited the intellectuals and office bearers of various literary organisations including the Assam Sahitya Sabha and Nepali Sahitya Parishad,� he added.
Kanaksen Deka, ex-president of Asam Sahitya Sabha would be the chief guest of the occasion. Poet�s meet, cultural exchange programme, art exhibition and a book-fair would be organised on the occasion.
On the second day of the festival, interaction with the young writers, artistes and social workers would be held on the topic of �the future of Bishnupriya Manipuri language and culture�. Another discussion on �the role of newspapers in society building� would be held on the same day, among the media persons representing different newspapers and journals. An exhibition of short film would also be organised besides other cultural programmes.
