A Gostha leela performance - A rejuvenating step

Rajmani Ayekpam *

Krishna plays had played an important role in building up the golden heritage of Manipuri culture. All the performing arts of post Vaisnavite period of Manipur were related in one way or another the story of Lord Krishna or Lord Shri Govinda.

Such performing arts can attract the valley people to Goudiya Vaisnavite religion. The best example is the Raas Leela of Manipur. Raas Leela is the one of the best classical dances of India. So, Goudiya Vaisnavite can become the religion of the masses.

Most of the Krishna leela in Manipur were the plays of childhood period of Lord Krishna because Goudiya Vaisnavite considered the most purified period was the childhood period. So, Krishna plays like Bailya leela, Udukhon and Gostha leela were the most popular plays of Lord Krishna. Such Krishna leela were performed in the mandhavs of Shri Shri Govindaji temple and some temples of localities of valley area.

Gostha leela or Shanshenba was one of the most popular plays among various Krishna plays in yester years. It was a regular feature in the temple of Shri Shri Govindaji of Palace compound and Shri Shri Bijoygovindi temple of Sagolband. Moreover, such performance was organized now and then in the outskirts of valley area.

Now-a-day, this Krishna leela became an endanger performing art due to influence of modern education system and lack of love by people. So, it becomes difficult to organize these Krihsna plays due to dirt of caliber artistes who can deliver good performance day by day.

In earlier time, it can attract not only parents of those children who participated in the play but also a good number of crowds. Goudiya Vaisnavite considered these plays not only as an entertainment but also a sign of devotion to Lord Kshrina.

According to holy book of Hindu, Shrimad Bhagawad, Gostha leela performed at Lord Krishna’s age of five. How Krishna was attracted to caring of cows in the grazing field and killed two cruel demons Dhenukashur and Bakashur was the main theme of this play.

In this way, Lord Krish saved aggrieved people from the hands of two demons. The whole long episode of these events was performed as an evening performance. A large number of children and mature adult artistes partici- pated in the performance.

It was performed as a pavilion theatrical performance well as a outdoor theatrical performance. It is a composite performance of dance, music and theatre. To organize such performance, it involved lot of financial volume, number of enthusiastic children and their parents, few professional artistes and a guru who can teach this leela nicely. Gostha leela performance may not be a good one without these elements.

One of the important contributions of Gostha leela to Manipuri classical dance is Gostha-Bhangi-Achouba and Gostha-Vrindavan-Bangi. These two forms of Bhangi is a very important part of the Gostha leela. Any students of Manipuri classical dance is have to learn these two Bhangis.

In this critical juncture of Manipuri culture, an organization named Dance Drama Music Repertoire Union (DDMRU) organized a Gostha leela in the promises of Shree Narsingh Dev Mandav, Kakching, Paji Leikai on Sunday, the 2nd April, 2023 under the financial assistance of Ministry of Culture, Government of India as a part to rejuvenate this endanger art form of Manipur.

This performance was done under the leadership of Shri Ranjit Adhikarimayum, former Principal of Govt. Dance College, Palace Compound.

Cast of the performance were –
Ph. Kumsing-nganbi Devi (Krishna), Linthoi Yengkhom, M. Yaiphabi Devi,
N. Sati, P. Joshita Devi, Destiva Nongmaithem, Ksh. Laxmirani Devi,
Winsley Ksh., N. Jessica Devi, Yaiphanganbi Y. (sloka Krishna),
Guru L. Lakpati Singh (Narda), H. Shyamkumar Sharma (Balbashu),
Sh. Singhajit Sharma (Nanda), L. Nobin Singh (Upananda),
Ch.Upajit Singh (Sunanda), Y. Yaima Singh (Dwari), H. Khingba Singh (Bramhan),
Ng. (O) Ph. Devajani Devi (Jashoda) & Ch. Geetarani Devi (Rohini) etc.

Credits were –
Sh. Shyambor Sharma (Mandav Mapu),
Ph. Chandra Singh, Th. Muhindro Singh & Ch. Manaobi Singh (Sutra-dharis),
L. Tamphamani Singh & N. Robart Singh (Pung Yeiba (Drummer)),
N. Nawang Singh (Moibung Khongba), Y. Angangyaima Singh (Esharaj),
L Sarat Singh & party (Costume & Make-up),
P. Chandra Singh (Gosthadhari),
Km. M. Bijaya Devi (Assistant), Yugkanta Adhikarimaym (Light & Sound),
Ch. Upajit (Production Manager), G. Devardharshan & Yugkanta A. (Documentation) &
Shri Ranjit Adhikariamayum (Production Supervisor & Script in Manipuri) etc.

All the enthusiastic child artistes and few professional artistes in this performance helped this Gostha leela a successful one. Now-a-days, the participation of child artistes in any cultural event is so rare due to heavy schedule of modern education system. On the other hand, active participation of child artiste is very much necessary for such performance.

The main objective of this performance is the community participation and other hand to understand our children about our rich cultural heritage of this land through their informal education which can’t be found in their school curriculum. Understanding of culture can make a good and peaceful society.

One important thing for this Gostha leela was that people live in the outskirt of city have more interested in our cultural programme. They are our hope for survival of our performing arts and culture. City life can’t save our culture. To organize more cultural event in the villages and far flung area must be an obligation.

Active participation of child artistes and crowd attended on that day indicates that the performance of Gostha leela was a successful one. Perhaps, it can be said that such performance is a kind of rejuvenation step of Manipuri culture.