Festival of Plays 2020 begins

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 25 : As part of the golden jubilee celebration of Kalakshetra Manipur, Festival of Plays 2020 was kicked off at Maharaja Chandrakriti auditorium today.
Kalakshetra Manipur in collaboration with Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata and Department of Art & Culture, GoM organised the nine days event.
Chairman, Chorus Repertory Theatre Ratan Thiyam graced the function as the chief guest while eminent film maker Aribam Shyam Sharma attended the function as president.
Pebet, a play directed by late Director of Kalakshetra Manipur, Heisnam Kanhailal was performed at the inaugural function.
Other plays directed by different personalities namely Nungshithel by Ksh Phajaton of Banian Repertory Theatre, Rather Rashi by Dr Sukracharjya of Badungduppa Kalakendra, Assam, Kan Kal by Dr S Thanilleima of Khenjonglang, Shreejon Hobe Kobe by Bidyutjit Chakraborty of Kalabhumi, Tripura, Adhe Adhuri by Toijam Shilla of Prospective Repertory Theatre, Ghatotkach by Gunakar Dev Goswami of Purbranga Assam, Leimakol by L Randhoni of People Arts Dramatic Association and Yamata amasung Keibu Keioiba by H Tomba of Kalakshetra Manipur will be showcased on the following days respectively.
A two days seminar on "Kanhailal: A theoretical practitioner" will be carried out on February 26 and 27 at Government Dance College Hall.
Speaking at the event, Ratan Thiyam expressed that the 9 days Festival of Plays 2020, which will be held as a part of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Kalakshetra Manipur, will encourage the people are engaged in theatres and plays in Manipur.
He said that Oja Kanhailal of Kalakshetra Manipur, was a pioneer who worked hard to preserve and develop theatre and culture of Manipur.
Oja Kanhailal brought many changes and transformations to the face of Leela. He always produced Leelas and plays which are very distinct and unique, Ratan Thiyam added.
Oja Kanhailal was adept at writing and acting out plays/Leelas, he said, then lamented that now a days, the theatre in the State seem to be at the mercy of the Government Departments concerned.
He also opined that one cannot help but wonder if the leaders are speaking the truth when they claim that culture and art are the image of Manipur to the world, looking after what little they have accomplished for the said field in reality.
The culture of Manipur seems to be dying day by day, and the Ojas and Gurus have been working hard, against all odds, to revive and preserve Manipuri culture, he added.