Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Info Centre
New Delhi, March 05, 2010:
Re-nown contemporary Manipuri singer and theatre exponent Ningthoujam Nabachandra Singh, who is also Joint Director of Song and Drama Division has approached the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for approval of his light and sound production entitled "Kangla : Through The Ages".
The production, the script of which has already been approved by the Government of Manipur, would be depicting different episodes of the Anglo Manipuri war.
It is informed that rehearsal of the production is in full swing with the multifaceted Nabachandra, also known popularly as Naba Volume, here in the state, awaiting approval from Union Ministry as it involves huge expenditure.
He said that even though the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had not approved the financial expenses of the production, the Song and Drama Division could arrange the grand Manipuri production by providing artistes, sound and light equipment if the State Govt extends construction of huge stages and sound recording of the songs, dialogue and commentary.
He was eager to make the grand show of Kangla: Through The ages in Imphal soon by the artistes of Song and Drama Division, before his retirement from government service.
People in his native place hardly know him as a great theatre director because his grand productions are not seen by the locals.
He directed dramas on national integration, women empowerment, freedom struggle etc.
in Hindi and multi-languages for the Song and Drama Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India; and these dramas in Hindi are not staged in Manipur where the Hindi language is banned.
Recently, above one lakh audience had witnessed his multi-dimensional grand production- Kranti Yatra, a 140- minute sound and light programme of Song and Drama Division depicting India's freedom struggle in a seven-day evening event that took place at Chhotu Ram Stadium, Rohtak in Haryana from February 17 to 23.Haryana Chief Minister Bhupendra Singh Hooda inaugurated the grand show and Political Adviser to the Chief Minister Prof.Virender graced the closing show as Chief guest.
The whole breadth of the stadium was occupied as the performance space.
The open air stage was 400 feet long and 20 feet high.
About 250 artistes, 150 technicians and 60 assistants drawn from Manipur, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Haryana took part at the grand show.
The production was full of entertainment interwoven with songs, music, dance and drama, apart from the hilarious light and sound techniques.
Eight horses were also used in war scene.
Sammi Narang, well known Doordarshan News Reader voiced the commentary of the production.
Re-nowned play back singers namely Shankar Mahadevan, Udit Narayan and Shreya Ghosal sung the songs.