Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, February 03 2010:
In a move to promote Shumang Leela a 20-day Shumang Leela festival kicked off on Wednesday in Imphal.
While talking to NNN, Ph.
Gunachandra Sharma, president of Shumang Leela Council revealed that the Shumang Leela Festival is held with a view to promote the Shumang Leela which is apparently degrading with the fast changing world.
Stating the role of Shumang Leela in the state, Gunachandra Sharma informed that it covers all aspects of theatre.
While maintaining that in order to preserve the indigenous theatre play of Manipur, he advocated the setting up of a school for Shumang Leela just like National School of Drama.
He also informed that a total of 26 Shumang Leelas would be showcased in the festival.
Out of which 16 would be by females troupes and 11 would be by males troupes.
One significant feature of Shumang Leela is that there are no women artists in the play.
The men impersonate the role of women by attiring as the women.
The artists of Shumang Leela also puts on different kinds of make up to look like women.
With the changing times, there have been changes in Shumang Leela as well.
The ongoing Shumang Leela festival would be concluded on February 23 .