'As agent of change, Shumang Leela needs to keep abreast with time'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 28 2014:
The 42nd Shumang Leela Festival organized by Manipur State Kala Akademi was inaugurated at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound here today.
The inaugural function of the festival was attended by Governor of Manipur VK Duggal as Chief Guest and Chief Minister Okram Ibobi as President, while Commissioner of Art & Culture Dr RK Nimai and Secretary of Manipur State Kala Akademi Dr K Sobita attended as Guests of Honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor VK Duggal said that Shumang Leela not only entertains people, but also acts as an agent of change.
During its long travails, Shumang Leela had brought to the fore various social issues and was a medium for social change.
It has taken up subjects like gender issues, alcoholism, corruption, and so on and so forth without fear and these renditions were accepted by the masses wholeheartedly.
Shumang Leela is now at its most difficult period, especially with the coming of the digital age, where a click of a button can download a song or a movie.
Manipuri films are slowly replacing it in popularity and if Shumang Leela cannot keep abreast with time, it may lead to its natural slowing down in popularity.
The experts in the field of Shumang Leela need to introspect and come up with innovative ideas to keep up this wonderful art form alive and kicking, the Governor noted.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said that Shumang Leela is one of the most important forms of Manipur courtyard theatre.
It has been played in the State for many years before stage dramas and cinema were known to the people.
It is as popular as Jatra of Bengal, Tamasha of Maharashtra, Bhavi of Madhya Pradesh and Nautanki of Uttar Pradesh.
The impacts of Shumang Leela on the minds of the masses irrespective of the generation have been such that it is difficult to separate the Shumang Leela from the Manipuri socio-cultural scene, Ibobi asserted.
Altogether 20 groups including 12 female groups are participating in this 42nd Shumang Leela Festival.
The prize winners of 41st Shumang Leela Festival were also announced during the occasion.
The best production award was bagged by Women's Art & Cultural Association's Nongalamdai gee Malangba, while the second and third best production awards by Chanura Jatra Cum Drama Association's Sanarik Pareng and Imphal Theatre's Yingalei respectively.