The first Northeast Women Drama Festival began in Keirao, Manipur, on Tuesday afternoon at the Khenjonglang Theatre Complex.

The 10-day drama festival will conclude on January 2, 2020, and it is organised by local theatre group Khengjonglang.

Sangeet Natak Akademi and JN Manipur Dance Akademy have collaborated with the theatre group.

The festival was originally scheduled from December 2 to December 11, but owing to the present turmoil in Northeast it was postponed.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh inaugurated the festival in presence of a host of theatre personalities and theatre enthusiasts.

He was accompanied by Keirao MLA L Rameshwor along with renowned theatre personalities Kirti Jain, Heisnam Sabitri and Maya Krishna Rao.

Northeast Women Drama Festival committee director K Radhakumar was also present at the inaugural function.

The drama festival has been organised with an aim to empower women in the field of drama and acting.

"Manipur today is going through a critical phase, where drug abuse among the youths is on the rise," the CM said.

"I request each and every one of you to take the lead in the fight against drug abuse," he added urging to every single woman present there.

"Drugs and other intoxicants have crippled the society and several people have lost their lives too," he bemoaned.

Appreciating the organisers, Singh said, "Drama and theatre play a pivotal role in maintaining peace and harmony in society."

"I am happy that the first Northeast Women Drama Festival is being held here in Manipur," Singh reiterated.

He also spoke at length about the contributions of theatre stalwarts Ratan Thiyam in the society.

Speaking on a sperate issue, the CM said, "I urge all to not construct buildings on farmlands."

"If farmlands cease to exist, then in the next 40 years we will have no land for agriculture. And then what will we eat?" he said.

A national seminar on theatre will also be held as part of the festival from December 25 to 28.

Prominent women theatre directors from the Northeast will be attending the festival.

Ima Sabitri, S Thaninleima of Khengjonglang (Manipur), Rojibita Gogoi of Jirsong Theatre (Assam), Bijoli Chakraborty of Jagitri Culture Society (Tripura), Toijam Shila of Prospective Repertory Theatre (Manipur), Kismat Bano of Wings Theatre (Assam) and L Randhoni of PADA (Manipur) will present their plays in the festival.