KIMACS has criticised the repeated exclusion of Manipur’s State Song ‘Sana Leibak Manipur’ from official government functions in Imphal.
Imphal, May 28: Questions are being raised over the repeated exclusion of Manipur’s official State Song ‘Sana Leibak Manipur’ from government-related functions, with the Kanglei Indigenous Martial Arts and Cultural Society (KIMACS) alleging that the song is being sidelined despite its official recognition by the State Government.
The issue resurfaced after the inauguration ceremony of the 52nd All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival, organised by the Manipur State Kala Akademi in Imphal last Tuesday, began with the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jana Gana Mana’ without including the State Song. The function was attended by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla as chief guest and presided over by Art and Culture Minister Kh Loken.
The omission has triggered fresh criticism from cultural groups and sections of the public, especially as controversy surrounding the exclusion of the State Song during this year’s Khongjom Day observance has not yet subsided.
KIMACS said the Government should not continue the practice of sidelining the State Song in future official programmes. The organisation expressed concern that the omission had occurred once again despite public objections raised after the Khongjom Day event held on April 23.
According to KIMACS, the invitation card printed for the Shumang Leela Festival inauguration also did not mention the State Song in the programme schedule. The schedule reportedly included only the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ and the National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ at the beginning and conclusion of the programme.
The controversy comes months after the state-level observance of Khongjom Day at the Khongjom War Memorial Complex, where the traditional inclusion of ‘Sana Leibak Manipur’ was dropped during the ceremony commemorating the martyrs of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.
At that function, the Tarpan ceremony for the martyrs was conducted after the singing of only ‘Vande Mataram’, leading to criticism from various sections of society. Following the backlash, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh had stated before the media that the omission was an oversight amid the prevailing unrest in the state and assured that the matter had been noted for the future.
However, with the State Song once again missing from another major government-related cultural event, dissatisfaction has resurfaced on social media and among civil society organisations.
Speaking to reporters at the KIMACS office at Palace Compound on Wednesday, the organisation’s General Secretary R.K. Lenin Sana said ‘Sana Leibak Manipur’ was officially adopted as the State Song in 2021 and therefore must be included in all State functions and programmes involving the Government.
He clarified that KIMACS has no objection to the singing of the National Song or National Anthem, but strongly objected to the exclusion of the State Song.
According to Lenin Sana, the repeated omission cannot be viewed as anything less than disrespect towards the culture and identity of Manipur. He said the people of the state would not accept the continued sidelining of the officially recognised State Song.
He further stated that it was unfortunate that the issue had resurfaced again while the earlier Khongjom Day controversy was still fresh in public memory. He urged the Government to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future official events.
KIMACS also called on the State Government to frame formal guidelines mandating the inclusion of ‘Sana Leibak Manipur’ in all state functions and government-related programmes. Lenin Sana said such guidelines should be formulated at the earliest to avoid further controversy and confusion.
The organisation informed that a memorandum regarding the matter has already been submitted to the Chief Minister.
‘Sana Leibak Manipur’ was written in 1965 by late writer B. Jayantakumar Sharma and composed by noted filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma. Since 1967, the song has been used as the de facto State Song at official functions and cultural events across Manipur.
After being used unofficially for more than five decades, the previous government led by former Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh formally recognised the song as the State Song through a State Gazette notification issued on August 21, 2021.
The latest controversy has once again brought attention to the role of cultural symbols and traditions in official state functions at a time when questions over identity and heritage remain sensitive issues in Manipur.
