November 18-27, 2004
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18
13:00 Afternoon
GROUP FLIES TO IMPHAL
From NSCB Domestic Airport, Kolkata
14:15 Afternoon
ARRIVAL
GO TO ACCOMODATION, WASH-UP:
Bonnie, Les and Mike to Deputy Chief Minister Deben's Quarters, Babupara
Zette and Erin to Somi's House, Yaiskul
Pick up: Somi, Dave, Daoji
15:00 Afternoon
WELCOME GIFTS AT SOMI'S
SHOPPING AT RANI'S
Shopping for traditional clothes for the Temple the next day. One white wrap at least.
Place: Wangkhei Leikai
Shopping Guide: Ranjana
18:00 Evening
TRADITIONAL MUSIC CONCERT
Place: Somi's House
Contact: MK Binodini
MOIRANG KANGLEIROL BALLAD AND PENA PERFORMANCE
Mangangsana And Company
KHULLANG ISEI�� AND KHUNUNG ISEI
Folksong by Langathel Thoinu and Oja Khangembam Mangi
19:00 Evening
ORIENTATION DINNER AT SOMI'S
Place:� Somi's house, Yaiskul
After Dinner: Group goes over itinerary.
Invitees: Dave, Gope, Biki, Usha, Ranjana, Lancha
***
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Wear Manipuri attire!
08:30 Morning
VISIT WITH RATAN THIYAM
Tour of Chorus Repertory Theater, Meet with Press
Place: Chorus Repertory, Samusang
10:00 Morning
USOP AT BIJOY GOBINDA
Observation of traditional feast.
Place: Bijoy Gobinda Temple, Sagolband
13:00 Afternoon
QUICK BOX LUNCH
Place: Temple Board Office, Palace Grounds
13:00 ? 17:00 Afternoon.
SANJENBA AT PALACE TEMPLE
Outdoor Manipuri Children's Ballet Opera ritual.
Place: Gobindaji Temple and Palace Grounds
Guide: MK Binodini
17:00 Afternoon
LES VISITS MONKEY TEMPLE
Walking companion: Sudarshan
19:00 Night
WELCOME DINNER AND SCREENINGS
Manipuri and American films.
Place: Minister Deben Thoudam's Quarters, Babupara
Host:� Mrs. Thoudam, Dave
Special Invitees: Rebika, Joy, MK Binodini, Santi, Chourjit
Films:�
REAL (Dave Thoudam, 2004, 10 min, Video)
GAP-TOOTHED WOMEN (Les Blank, 1987, 31 min, Video)
***
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER ARRIVES
Protest shut down in Imphal till 12 midnight
08:30 Morning
DANCE CLASS WITH RASE
Meet with Dancer-choreographer Rase and her dancers at her Home Dance Studio.
Place: Naga Mapan Soram Leirak
Contact: Rase, Akabi
Dances:� BASANTA RAS
PHISAROL (SHAMAN WEAVERS DANCE)
14:00 Afternoon
ERIN'S OJA BORIBA
Oja Debabrata, her martial-arts teacher, accepts Erin. Oja Khelchandra attends.
Place: Hula Martial Arts, Keisamthong
Contact: Motcha, Senior Student
15:00 Afternoon
MIKE PRESENTS BASEBALLS
Presentation of videos and baseballs to baseball players.
Place: Somi's House
Contact: Somi, Ragini, Jitan
15:30 Afternoon
LES VISITS THE FLOWER SHOW
Flowers and a visit to Sudarshan's home.
Place: Yaiskul
Walking Companion: Sudarshan
18:00 Afternoon
LES' PRESENTS HIS FILMS
Smell-o-rama screening with roasting garlic heads, followed by discussion.
Place: Somi's Place
Contact: Lancha Ningthouja
Films:
GARLIC IS AS GOOD AS TEN MOTHERS� (1980, 51 min., video)
LIGHTIN' HOPKINS
19:30 Night
DINNER AT MICHELLE'S
Place: Residence of RK Dorendra, Yumnam Leikai.
Contact: Michelle Shija
Special invitees: Amrik Singh, Rajib Salam, Devadutta
***
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21
06:15 Morning
ERIN'S ONE-ONE-ONE THANG-TA INTRODUCTORY LESSON
Place: Hula Martial Arts, Keisamthong
Contact and Instructor: Motcha
09:00 Morning
TINKAO RAGWANG WORSHIP
NAGA VILLAGE WALK THROUGH
Indigenous Zeliangrong Tribal Religious Service.
Place: Chingmeirong Kabui Village
Guide: Professor Gangmumei Kamei
12:00 Noon
SANA KEITHEL
Women's Market for Zette and Erin.
Place: Sana Keithel, Khwairaman
12:00 Noon
YOSHIKO ARRIVES
Pick-up by Somi and Dave.
15:30 Afternoon
YOSHIKO GOES TO CHORUS REPERTORY
Sudarshan takes her to see Ratan Thiyam's theater.
19:00 Night
EVENING WITH MANIPURI FILMMAKERS
Screenings followed by dinner.
Place: Deputy Chief Minister's Quarters, Babupara
Contact: Dave, Lancha
Films:
ORCHIDS OF MANIPUR (Aribam Syam Sharma, Year, 30 min, Video)
OUR GAME: Part One of BASEBALL (Ken Burns, 1998, 120 min, Video)
***
MONDAY, NOVEMBER. 22
06:00 Morning
ERIN'S THANG-TA LESSON
Place: Hula Martial Arts, Keisamthong
Contact: Motcha
09:00 Morning
OJA KHELCHANDRA'S MANUSCRIPTS COLLECTION
Visit with historian and archivist.
Place: Uripok
Host: Oja Khelchandra
11:00 Morning
SHOW AND TELL WITH FARMERS' KIDS
Zette, Bonnie, Yoshiko and Les visit classes.
Place: Reliance School, Samusang
Guide: Dr. Usha Salam
12:30 Afternoon
LUNCH WITH BIKI AND USHA
DYLAN AND NAGA SONGS BY REUBEN
Agriculture gathering.
Place: Biki's farmhouse, Luwangsangbam Village
Special invitees: Khuraijam Dhiren, Lairikyengbam Gokulmani, Reuben, Angom Jugindro, Salam Geetabali.
14:00 Afternoon
EXHIBITION POLO: ISP AND PANA KANGJEI
International Style and Traditional Manipuri Style Polo.
Place: Kangjeibung Polo Ground
Contact: Dr. Nara, Dr. Chourjit
14:45 Afternoon
INTERVIEW BY EFFECTIVE TELEVISION CHANNEL
With the whole group.
Place: Kangjeibung Polo Ground
Contact: Sunzu
11:00 Morning
TOUR OF KANGLA FORT
Guided tour of moated palace fort.
Place: Kangla Fort
Guide: Oja Khelchandra, historian and archivist
With: MK Binodini, Sudarshan, Ranjana, Dave
17:30 Afternoon
SHALLOW RIVER MUSIC ALBUM LAUNCH
Les Blank and filmmakers.
Place: Shallow River Studios, Khuyathong
Contact: Dave
16:00 Afternoon
BONNIE AND YOSHIKO'S INTERACTION WITH RASE'S DANCERS 1
Place: Rase's Home Dance Studio, Soram Leirak
Contact and Interpreter: Gope
19:00 Night
HARE KRISHNA DINNER HOSTED BY DR. NARA
With Dr. Chourjit
Place: Gopal's Pizza, ISKCON
***
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23
06:15 Morning
ERIN'S THANG-TA LESSON
Place: Hula Martial Arts, Keisamthong
Contact: Motcha
07:00 Morning
MIKE, RAGINI AND SOMI'S TOUR OF THEIR BASEBALL FIELD OF DREAMS
Place: Tabungkhok Village, Patsoi
Contact and Guide: Ragini, Pakpa
11:00 Morning
MIKE AT CATWALK BEAUTY PARLOR
Mike does her hair.
Contact: Ragini
13:00 Afternoon
LUNCH AT MANIPUR UNIVERSITY
With Faculty and Students
Place: Manipur University Guest House, Langthabal
Host: RK Ranjan, Registrar
Invitees: MK Binodini, Dr. Bimola
13:00 Afternoon
MIKE'S PRESENTATION: LISTENING TO VOLCANOES (Video, 1996, 60 min.)
Screening and discussion with students and faculty. Mike stays on; others leave.
Place: Manipur University
Contact and Host: RK Ranjan, Dr. Bijoy, VC
Special Invitees: MK Binodini
15:00 Afternoon
ERIN MEETS SANAKHWA EBOTOMBI
Erin meets with the theater director.
Place: Keisamthong
Contact: Gope
15:00 Afternoon
YOSHIKO'S INTERACTION WITH DANCERS 2
Place: Rase's Home Dance Studio, Soram Leirak
Contact and Interpreter: Somi
15:00 Afternoon
ZETTE AND BONNIE'S PRESENTATION
On small museums and international arts projects. Tour of museum.
Place: Manipur State Museum
Host: Sobita Devi, Chief Curator
Contact: Rajesh
15:00 Afternoon
LES MEETS SAMARENDRA
Tea with a poet.
Place: Laisram Samarendra's Residence, Yaiskul
Contact: Somi
17:30 Evening
COURTYARD THEATER: WORLD TRADE CENTRE
Sumaang Lila Play on 9/11 by Sana Leibak Nachom Artistes. Courtyard Theater Mini-Festival
Place: Sumaang Lila Sanglen, Konung Lampak
Guide: Dr. Nara
19:00 Night
DINNER AT GOPE'S
Place: Naga Mapan, Phousubam Leirak
Special invitee: Thambal Devi
***
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24
06:15 Morning
ERIN'S THANG-TA LESSON
Place: Hula Martial Arts, Keisamthong
Contact: Motcha
09:00 Morning
A VISIT WITH A SHAMAN
Discussion and demonstration of shaman Weavers' Dance with Oja Kumar Maibi, male shaman priestess.
Place: Oja Kumar Maibi's House, Singjamei
Guide: MK Binodini
11:00 Morning
SILK WEAVERS
Visit loin-loom weavers.
Place: Khurai Kongpan
Contact: Somi
12:00 Noon
USOP: A TRADITIONAL FEAST
Traditional Memorial Lunch for RK Sanatomba; ritual lunch design by Mangi Sija. Manipuri mourning attire mandatory.
Place: Palace Compound
Host: MK Binodini
Special Invitee: Khedir, Rani of Thangmeiband
14:00 Afternoon
SANKIRTAN CONCERT AT SKWAR'S WEDDING
Somi's nephew� RK Chingkhei gets married. You can dress Western if you like; traditional Manipuri dress preferred.
Place: Heirangoithong
Contact: RK Ronen, Somi
18:00 Evening
YOSHIKO'S DANCE PRESENTATION
With Mao Tribal Dance and Shaman Weavers' Dance.
Place: Kalimai Mantop, Kali Temple, Yaiskul
Contact: Somi
20:00 Evening
SCREENING: MANIFESTATIONS OF SHIVA
Introduced by Mike Peters.
Place: Kalimai Mantop, Kali Temple, Yaiskul
Contact: Somi
20:00 Night
DINNER AT RANJANA'S
Place: Kwakeithel
Screening: ASEAN Motor Car Rally and July 2004 Human Rights Agitation footage.
Special invitees: Rajesh Salam, David
***
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25
06:15 Morning
ERIN'S THANG-TA LESSON
Place: Hula Martial Arts, Keisamthong
Contact: Motcha
09:00 Morning
BASEBALL GAME
Men and women teams.
Dave and Bonnie sing �Take Me Out to the Ball Game�.
Les Blank pitches the first ball�. and more.
Place: Eastern Grounds, Konung Lampak
Contact: Ragini, Jitan, Ratan, Kiran, Bhanu
09:00 Morning
ERIN MEETS KANHAILAL
Erin meets with the theater director and actress Sabitri.
Place: Langol Laimanai
Contact: Lancha
09:30 Morning
MISS EMMONS BAKING CLASS FOR YOUNG LADIES
Zette bakes with Michelle and her friends.
Place: Michelle's, Yumnam Leikai
Host: Michelle
Cakes made:
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
ORANGE CUPCAKES
APPLE AND CINNAMON CAKE
Participants:
Babyla Jassal, English teacher
Shubra Kingdang, Rajasthani Boutique owner
Mimi Longjam, boutique owner
Pinky Narula, boutique owner
Lembi Sanjenbam, owner of a bakery
Sonia Sharma, Hyundai saleswoman
Michelle Shija, host and organizer
Nanao Shija, housewife
12:00 Noon
BURGER AND COKE PICNIC LUNCH
After-game lunch with baseball players.
Place: Eastern Grounds, Konung Lampak
Contact and host: Ragini
14:00 Afternoon
SOMI PICKS UP TURKEYS AT AIRPORT
16:00 Afternoon
MAHA RAS REHEARSAL
SANDHYA ARATI: TEMPLE EVENING SERVICE
Yoshiko and Bonnie attend rehearsal of temple dance.
Place: Gobindaji Temple
17:00 Evening
SCREENINGS OF MANIPURI AND AMERICAN FILMS
Lancha Ningthouja discusses his films and Mike Peters shows a film about baseball.
Place: Somi's House
Films:
THE DREAM (Lancha Ningthouja, 2001, 27 min, video)
BUT IT NEVER RAINED (Lancha Ningthouja, 2003, 39 min, video)
FIELD OF DREAMS (Phil Alden Robinson, 1989, 106 min, video)
20:00 Night
MANIPURI-AMERICAN THANKSGIVING TURKEY DINNER.
We host. We cook.
Place: Somi's House.
Special invitees: All hosts including Michelle, RK Ranjan, Gope, Ranjana, Ragini, Bikram, Dr. Nara, Dave,
��
***
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26
06:15 Morning
ERIN'S THANG-TA LESSON
Rest of the Group to Visit.
Place: Hula Martial Arts, Keisamthong
Contact: Motcha
07:00 Morning
VISIT TO HULA MARTIAL ARTS CLASS
See Erin perform with her class.
Place: Hula Martial Arts, Keisamthong
Contact: Somi
08:00 Morning
SOROKHAIBAM IBOMCHA'S BRIDAL DRESS WORKSHOP
Zette's final wedding dress look-over for Newark Museum.
Location: Sagolband Moirang Leirak.
Contact and Guide: M K Binodini
09:30 Morning on.
MIKE SPENDS THE DAY WITH DAVE
Shopping for gifts and screenings of Dave 's commercials and PSA videos for World AIDS Day.
Films:
A TEENAGER SPEAK OUT (Dave, 60 sec, 2004, video)
A DOCTOR SPEAKS OUT (Dave, 2004, 60 sec, video)
LANDMARK COMPUTERS COMMERCIAL (Dave, 2003, 60 sec, video)
COMMERCIALS FOR SHALLOW RIVER STUDIOS (Dave, 2003, video)
09:30 Morning
A DAY IN THE COUNTRY
Drive to Khongjom, 35 km south of Imphal
Contact and Guide: Dr. Nara
10:00 Morning
KHONGJOM� WAR MEMORIAL
Reception and Flower Offering Ceremony at 1891 Battle Site.
Place:� Khongjom
10:30 Morning
PARENTS' DAY TOUR OF SLOPELAND PUBLIC SCHOOL
Reception by schoolchildren and parents.
Place: Slopeland School, Khongjom
11:00 Morning
INAUGURATION OF SCHOOL SECRETARY'S QUARTERS
Ribbon cutting by Les Blank for the group. Flower and incense offering.
Place: Slopeland School, Khongjom
11:30 Morning
PRESS CONFERENCE: OUR EXPERIENCE IN MANIPUR
Yoshiko performs.
Parents and schoolchildren attend.
Place: Slopeland School Open-Air Auditorium
12:30 Afternoon
SCHOOL LUNCH
Hosted by Dr. Nara
Place: Slopeland School Dinning Hall, Khongjom
13:30 Afternoon
PRESS CONFERENCE: OUR EXPERIENCE IN MANIPUR
We tell of our trip so far. Yoshiko performs. Parents and schoolchildren attend. Group makes a donation to the school.
Place: Slopeland School Open-Air Auditorium, Khongjom
14:30 Afternoon
COURTYARD THEATER: THE ROSE OF LIDICE
TRAILER PREVIEW OFUPCOMING ATTRACTION
Sana Leibak Nachom Artistes performs a play about Czechoslovakia 1944. Preceded by a preview of KHAMBA-THOIBI, their next play. Parents and schoolchildren attend.
Place: Slopeland School Open-Air Stage, Khongjom
16:00 Afternoon
THABAL CHONGBI
Traditional folk dance. All join in.
Place: Slopeland School Open-Air Stage, Khongjom
DISCO NAP
GET INTO TRADITIONAL ATTIRE
20:00 Night
HOME DINNER
Family meal with no invited guests. Change for Maha Ras
Les, Mike, Bonnie, Yoshiko with the Thoudam Family
Zette, Erin with Somi
21:00 ? 01:00 Night
KONUNG MAHA RAS AT PALACE TEMPLE
Manipuri Dance Ritual.
Place: Gobindaji Temple, Palace
Guide: MK Binodini
***
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27
07:00 Morning
ERIN'S CABLE TV INTERVIEW
Motcha and reporters from ISTV interview Erin about Thang-Ta.
Place: Somi's House
Contact: Motcha
09:30 Morning
FAREWELL MEETING WITH HOST DEBEN THOUDAM
Whole group.
Place: Deputy Chief Minister's Quarters, Babupara
Contact: Somi, Dave
10:30 Morning
ERIN AND KANHAILAL: THEATER EXERCISES
Erin and theater director Kanhailal exchange theater exercise techniques.
Place: Kanhailal's Theater, Langol Laimanai
Contact: Lancha Ningthouja
11:00 Morning
YOSHIKO AT SHALLOW RIVER STUDIO
Screenings and meeting with young audio and visual media artists. Meet with the theater director and company.
Place: Shallow River Studios, Khuyathong
Contact: Dave
Films:
THE LIVING ROOM PROJECT (Yoshiko Chuma, work-in-progress, video)
BREAKING TAO (Meisnam Leichil Luwang, 2003, 5 min, video)
REAL (Dave, 2004, 10 min, video)
12:30 Morning
YOSHIKO MEETS KANHAILAL
Meet with the theater director and company.
Place: Langol Laimanai
Contact: Lancha
12:30 Afternoon
ERIN'S FINAL THANG-TA CEREMONY
With Oja Debabrata
Place: Hula Martial Arts, Keisamthong
Contact: Motcha
13:30 Afternoon
ALL LEAVE FOR KOLKATA
ZETTE TO NEW DELHI
ERIN TO NEW� YORK
***
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28
17:00 Evening
DANCE PRESENTATION FOR KOLKATA CHOREOGRAPHERS
Yoshiko and Bonnie meet the dance community. Press to attend.
Place: Anjika Center, Kolkata
Host: Priti Patel
END
