Three Manipuri artistes among 30 for Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar

New Delhi, March 4 (UNI) Three young artistes from Manipur have been chosen for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2007.

The awards were announced by the Sangeet Natak Akademi here last evening. As many as 30 artistes have been selected for the honour, which was instituted to identify and encourage outstanding young talents in diverse fields of performing arts and giving them national recognition.

The three Manipuri artistes are: Mairenbam Maniton Singh for Nata Sankritana Music, Laishram Bina Devi for Manipuri Dance and Laishram Ibochouba Singh for Theatre Lighting.

Last year, two artistes Manipuri artistes were among the 33 recipients of the award, according to a Manipur Government release issued here today.

This year, eight artistes have been selected for Hindustani, Carnatic and other major traditions of music, eight others in the field of dance for Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam and Music for Dance-Bharatnatyam Mridangam. An equal number was selected from the Theatre.

Six artistes from various parts of the country were selected for their talents in different forms of traditional/folk/tribal dance, music, theatre and puppetry.

The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puruskar is awarded to artistes below the age of 35 years and covers music, dance, theatre, puppetry and diverse forms of traditional performing arts. The award carries a purse of Rs 25,000.

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