Manipur
has been a storehouse of rich culture, art and theatre.
While the modern stage theatre is performed for a select
audience, the community-based theme and style of Shumang
Lila makes it widely popular.
By:
Ksh. Imokanta Singh
Theatre
and Society in Manipur, as in many parts of the world, have
a commitment relationship as they progress along with each
other. Manipuri, in fact are a cultural enthusiastic people.
The cultural spirit has never been allowed to be blown out
despite it geographical aloofness from the outside world.
This is the main reason why theatre is thriving valiantly
in Manipur valley. Theatre culture, per se, has traveled
along journey with it various meandering courses. It has
always been part of the Lai Haraoba festival since the time
of immemorial. But what we call theatre in contemporary
usages of the world is a later accredation on this culture.
Theatre
in Manipur today can be broadly divided, based on their
text, into religion and secular. The former is the adaptation
of religious epic or some episode from them, they performed
mainly in the sacred sphere such as temples. Within this
we may incorporate Gouralila( stories of the childhood days
of Gourana Mahaprabhu ), Udukhol (episodes of Krishna childhood
days).
They
are seasonal performances commanding spiritual devotion
among the audience. On the other hand, secular theatre is
mostly confined in themes, which are not religious and is
performed in the secular or profane spheres. Within this
we may include, Sumang lila and Phampak lila (stage drama).
Though the religious genre is loved profoundly by the audience,
the torch of theatre is being held aloft by the secular
ones.
Among
the later, Shumang lela commands a very large rustic popularity
among audience though the stage drama still doesn't lack
its serene and dignified position. And this is because of
its community-based themes and styles.
HISTORY
AND DEVELOPMENT OF MANIPURI THEATRE
Etymologically,
Shumang lila is the combination of Shumang(courtward) and
lila (play or performance). It is also known as Jatra or
Jatrawali, which is an imported from Assam and Bengal as
a result of contact with the mainstream Indian culture.
It is performed in an area of 13/13 feets in the centre
of open space-courtyard or playground or Mandap (pavilion).
It performed in a very simple style without any raised stage
or any set designing or heavy props such as curtain, background
scenery, visual effects etc. The only things used are two
chairs and one table kept on one side of the performance
space. Its claim of being of the theatre of the masses can
be exemplified by the way it is performed in the middle
of an audience, which surrounds it from all sides leaving
only one passage that serves as both entrance and exit connecting
the space with green room.
Shumang
lila is performed by a touring band of 12-13 professional
artists on the invitation basis. These troupes may be exclusively
female or exclusively male. In case of Nupa Shumang Lila
the male characters are enacted by the female artists, but
what is the most intriguing is the enactment of the female
roles by male artists or nupishabi( read male actress) in
the case of latter. These male actress are profusely popular
and are main attraction of any Shumang lila.
Historically,
the actual seed of Shumang lila was sown in phagee lila
(farce), performed during the Reign of Maharaj Chandrakirti(1850-86)
, though the traces of it were already present episode of
Tangkhul Nurabi Loutanba of Lai Haraoba festival. Then it
was succeeded by such play as Ramlila, Sabha Parba, Kabul
lila etc. But the real Shumang lila with various rasas (sentiments)
was ushered in with the epic play Harichandra(1918). Other
then followed it such as Sabitri Satyavan, Meiraba Charan
and Thok lila. One of most successful play of this era was
Moirang Prabha (an epic play based on the legendary lovers
Khamba and Thoibi of Moirang).
The
big leap came in 1950 when scripts were introduced with
the plays like Puranmeithaba and B.A. Mapa Lamboiba. It
was a boost for literature loving people of Manipur and
also it brought in Manipuri theatre. Second major change
came in 1970's with the introduction of Eshei lila with
background music and playback singing. Some of them were
Krishna bal lila(1975), Thadoi(1976) and Chakthekpi(1977).
It was a degeneration for some and refreshing change for
many. Today, we only have the Eshei Lila genre with ever
expanding wings. The competitive zeal of troupes is kept
burning by the Annual Shumang Lila festival, which strated
in 1972.
On
the other hand, the world of Phampak lila (stage drama)
performed in the proscenium theatre is similar, in form,
to the western theatrical model and Indian Natyasastra model,
though it content are indigenous. The so call modern theatre
descended on Manipur theatre culture with performance of
Pravas Milan(1902) under the enthusiastic patronage of Shri
Churachand Maharaj( 1891-1941). It was not a completely
alien import as Manipuries were already acquainted with
the theatre, though it was a new genre. They dissolved themselves
into it like sugar in milk.
Manipur
had its first permanently theatre house in the early years
of the first decade of the 20th century in the form of Manipur
Friend's Dramatic Union. During this era, plays were mainly
Manipuris adaptation of Bengali plays. But 1925 saw the
beginning of original Manipuri plays with "Narasingh".
The pace theatrical movement was geared up with the institution
of various groups such as Manipur Dramatic Union in 1930,
Aryan Theatre in 1935, Chitrangada Natya Mandir in 1936,
Society theatre in 1937, Rupmahal in 1942, Cosmopolitan
Dramatic Union in 1968, the Chorus Repertory Theatre of
Ratan Thiyam in 1976 etc. These groups starting experimenting
with various types of plays apart from historical and Pauranic(ancient)
ones. As a result, the theatre started disseminating of
other parts of Manipur.
THEMES
OF THE PLAY
The
first major motive of the Shumang lila is to entertain and
educate people on various issues both local and International.
Phagee lila was out and out comedy ,adducing and cooking
up absurd stories on the spot and mimicking King and the
Nobles. Then came in social dramas, which were depictions
of various socio-politico-economic issues of the Manipuri
society.
SOCIAL
SIGNIFICANT OF THEATRE
It
may not be wrong to say that Shumang lila is the theatre
for the masses, while stage is for a select audience. Again,
Shumang lila is performed in every nook and corner in Manipur,
but stage lila is reluctant to move out of Imphal and small
towns. It is because of its 'easy to perform to anywhere'
style. There is free intermingling among and gossiping among
the audience, fairly divided into two sides -ladies and
Gents. On the other hand, in stage lila the audience behavior
endeavor to show politeness and their participation to the
theatre process is limited.
Although
both the genres have profusely taken its stories from the
society, the same degree of the influence from the theatre
is however, not visible in social life. This is because
of the overgrowing influences of entertainment over other
purpose of both the form of theatre. But today Manipur is
witnessing the entrance of Sumang lila into ritualistic
sphere as it is allowed to perform by some groups into marriage
into death ceremonies replacing the old age tradition of
Sankirtana singing. It is chosen to be vehicle of social
and religious movements taking advantage of its far-reaching
nature. And it is the people of Manipur, who have to decide
whether or not such changes are in the interest of the society
as a whole.
PROSPECTS
AND CHALLENGES BEFORE MANIPURI THEATRE
As
for the money involved are working hard to keep pace with
other mediums of entertainment, especially cinema. There
is commercialization and global seeping into Manipuri theatre,
especially Sumang lila is comforting. Lack of space, finance
and a wider audience have a certain loopholes in both Sumang
and stage lilas. But despite all these challenges the show
must go on. And how can we write the obituary of Manipur
theatre when there is no dearth of talent and the fire to
excel.
Source:
The North East Sun
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