JNMDA Production Unit golden jubilee: Manipur Governor calls for unity of development and heritage
Synopsis
Fifty years after it was founded, the JNMDA Production Unit's golden jubilee became a platform for Manipur's Governor to articulate a dual mandate: honour the state's living cultural traditions while driving forward development. The staging of Keibul Lamjao — a dance-drama about the endangered Sangai — gave that message an ecological edge rarely seen at official cultural ceremonies.
Key Takeaways
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated the golden jubilee of the JNMDA Production Unit in Imphal on 4 July .
The Production Unit was established in 1976 and has promoted Manipuri dance and music for 50 years .
The dance-drama Keibul Lamjao was performed, highlighting the conservation of the endangered Sangai , Manipur's state animal.
The Governor released a commemorative souvenir and felicitated retired artistes and former officials of the unit.
Governor Bhalla also chaired the JNMDA Advisory Committee meeting at Raj Bhavan, where a one-minute silence was observed for cultural stalwarts who passed away in 2025–26 .
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Saturday, 4 July underscored that national development and the preservation of cultural heritage must advance in tandem, reaffirming the Centre's commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guiding philosophy of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' (Development as well as Heritage). He made the remarks while inaugurating the year-long golden jubilee celebrations of the Production Unit of the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) in Imphal.
50 Years of the JNMDA Production Unit
Established in 1976, the JNMDA Production Unit has, over five decades, served as a crucible for experimental dance-dramas and emerged as a cultural ambassador for Manipur, carrying the elegance of Manipuri dance and music to audiences across India and beyond. Governor Bhalla described the unit's journey as a testament to the enduring power of the performing arts in shaping regional and national identity.
To mark the occasion, the Governor released a commemorative souvenir and felicitated retired senior artistes and former officials of the Production Unit in recognition of their contributions to Manipuri performing arts.
Dance-Drama Keibul Lamjao and the Conservation Message
The centrepiece of the celebration was a staging of the dance-drama Keibul Lamjao, which dramatises the precarious survival of the Sangai — Manipur's endangered state animal — against the backdrop of the floating wetland reserve of the same name. Governor Bhalla noted that the production weaves together Manipur's natural and cultural heritage while carrying a pointed message on environmental conservation and the protection of the state's unique ecological identity.
He commended the choreographers, musicians, technicians, and artistes whose sustained dedication brought the production to life.
Distinguished Guests and Dignitaries
The celebration was attended by First Lady Jyoti Bhalla, Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) Chairman Dr Sandhya Purecha, SNA Secretary Raju Das, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) Major General Gaurav Sharma, and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Regional Director (Shillong) Dr N. Munish Singh, alongside a large gathering of artistes, academicians, cultural enthusiasts, and members of the public.
JNMDA Advisory Committee Meeting
Separately, Governor Bhalla chaired the Advisory Committee meeting of the JNMDA at the Conference Hall of Raj Bhavan, Imphal, on the same day. The meeting opened with a one-minute silence in memory of eminent cultural figures who passed away during 2025–26, including Ratan Thiyam, Khumanthem Prakash Singh, Prof. N. Tombi Singh, and Kshetrimayum Thouranisabi Devi.
Committee members deliberated on the Academy's development, expansion, and future programming, with suggestions tabled for strengthening its role in preserving and promoting Manipuri performing arts. Senior officials of both the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the JNMDA were present at the meeting.
What Comes Next
With the golden jubilee year now formally under way, the JNMDA Production Unit is expected to mount a series of cultural events and outreach programmes over the coming months. The Academy's advisory committee discussions signal a broader institutional effort to modernise and expand the reach of Manipuri performing arts while staying rooted in tradition.
Point of View
Virasat Bhi' is politically safe, but the advisory committee meeting that followed suggests there is a real institutional conversation about the Academy's future. The choice to centre the celebrations on Keibul Lamjao — a work about an endangered animal in an endangered wetland — is pointed: Manipur's ecological and cultural fragility are not separate problems. Whether the Centre's rhetorical commitment translates into sustained funding for institutions like JNMDA remains the question mainstream coverage rarely asks.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JNMDA Production Unit and why is it celebrating its golden jubilee?
The Production Unit of the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) was established in 1976 to nurture experimental dance-dramas and promote Manipuri performing arts. The golden jubilee marks 50 years of its dedicated service in preserving and showcasing Manipuri dance, music, and cultural heritage.
What is the significance of the dance-drama Keibul Lamjao?
Keibul Lamjao is a dance-drama that depicts the survival challenges facing the Sangai, Manipur's endangered state animal, set against the backdrop of the Keibul Lamjao floating wetland reserve. It combines cultural performance with a conservation message, highlighting the need to protect Manipur's unique ecological and cultural identity.
What did Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla say at the event?
Governor Bhalla stressed that development and the preservation of cultural heritage must progress together, echoing Prime Minister Modi's philosophy of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi'. He also commended the artistes and technicians behind the production and felicitated retired senior contributors to the JNMDA Production Unit.
Who attended the JNMDA golden jubilee celebrations?
The event was attended by First Lady Jyoti Bhalla, Sangeet Natak Akademi Chairman Dr Sandhya Purecha, SNA Secretary Raju Das, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) Major General Gaurav Sharma, and ICCR Regional Director Dr N. Munish Singh, among artistes, academicians, and members of the public.
What was discussed at the JNMDA Advisory Committee meeting?
The Advisory Committee meeting, chaired by Governor Bhalla at Raj Bhavan, covered the Academy's development, expansion, and future activities. Members offered suggestions for strengthening JNMDA's role in preserving Manipuri performing arts. The meeting also observed a one-minute silence for eminent cultural figures who passed away during 2025–26.
