Workshop on reading Puya

A week-long workshop on “Puya Paba Tambagi” 2017 began today at the Epathoukok Shrine House, Naoremthong organised by Epathoukok under the aegis of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur.
Takhelllambam Bangkabihari, General Secretary, Epathoukok, said, the primary objective of the workshop is to learn the ancient scriptures (Puyas) and to absorb the basics on how to read and de-construct the Puyas correctly to the people. The workshop would provide the space for the scholars and students to exchange their knowledge on Puyas, added Bangkabihari.
Kangjam Radhakumar, IAS, Commisionner, IPR and PWD, Soubam Birdhaj, President, Epathoukok, Dr. K. Sushila, Director, Art and Culture, and Huirem Bihari, Convenor, Manipur Language Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi attended the opening day as Chief Guest, President and Guests of Honour respectively.
Kangjam Radhakumar said that it is indeed important to organise such workshop these days as we could learn, discuss, research and share the ideas on the teaching and learning systems of the ancient times. Talking on the translation works of Puyas by the scholars, he said that we need to give due acknowledgement or reference while writing the book so as to have the authenticity of the text. He further stressed that it is our collective responsibility to preserve and conserve our culture, traditions and rituals.
On the occasion, a half-yearly journal “Likhul” and three books on Puya: Ayanglon-ne, Laishol and Mashil-ne were released.
As the first session of the workshop, Shri Arambam Lokendro, Retd. Director, EMVRC, Manipur University lectured on the theoritical perspectives of culture.
Around 30 scholars and students are attending the week-long workshop which would be concluded on 26 of this month.