Shakespeare once emphatically said, "All the world is a stage, And all the men and women merely players." Throughout the human history, all the men and women have been performing their respective social roles. But all the human beings and the human history of many millennia would agree unanimously that the converse of the above is also true, "All the stage is a world, And all the players merely men and women". Life is theatre and theatre life. Society is the creation of aesthetics because life is not a monochromatic painting. It is a continuity of acts with a kaleidoscope of various scenes.

Living itself is an art, the art of impression management. If it is a comedy then it is also a tragedy. Then Shakespeare would again say, "Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player…………it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing."( Macbeth Act IV, scene V ).

Theatre and society in Manipur, as in many parts of the world, have concomitant relationship as they progress along each other. Manipuris, in fact, are a culturally enthusiastic people. Cultural spirit has never been allowed to be blown out despite its geographical aloofness from the outside world. This is the main reason why theatre is thriving valiantly in Manipur valley. Theatre culture, per se, has striden a long journey with its various meandering courses. It has always been part of the Laiharaoba festivals since time immemorial. But what we call theatre in the contemporary usage of the word is a later accretion on this culture.

Theatre in Manipur today can be broadly divided, based on their texts, into religious and secular. The former is the adaptation of religious epics or some episodes from them, performed mainly in the sacred sphere such as temples. Within this we may incorporate Gouralila (the story of the childhood days of Gouranga Mahaprabhu), Sanjenba ( an episode from the play between Krishna and his cows and his Gopis ), Udukhol ( an episode from Krishna's childhood days ). They are seasonal performances commanding spiritual devotions 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, Shumang 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 latter also Shumang lila commands a very wide rustic popularity among the audience though the stage drama still doesn't lack its serene and dignified position. It is because of its community based themes and styles