Shumang Leela Festival : 'Panthou Sanggai', a plug showing love is humankind's biggest merit
Source: Chronicle News Service / Mission Oinam

Imphal, February 25 2023: 'Panthou Sanggai', a play by Lamjingba Artistes' Association was presented on Friday, the seventh day of the Nupa (male) Shumang Leela category of the Ongoing 51st All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2022-23, organised by Manipur State Kala Akademi at Th Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.

Written by Arunkumar Laishram, the play is directed by Irabot Macha, who also plays the character, 'Ashuppa'.

The other male characters have been portrayed by Chourajit (Lakpa), Soniboy (Dr Thanil), Bobo (Sinshuba), Chinglen (Thoungamba), Jamson (Kengba) and Momoton (police inspector) .

The female roles were played by L Boy (Panthoi), Arapti Surendro (Mitsna) and Sadananda (Sukhi).

Meanwhile, the play was assisted from the backstage by Mangiraj Nongthomba (male voice), Amarjit (female voice), Opendro (Tabla), Bishorjit (Guitar), Manglem (Keyboard/music direction), Nandasana (Pena), Lukhoi (Pad Drum), Kishan (Flute) and Arunkumar Laishram (lyricist) .

In the play, Panthoi is a nurse working at a hospital in Kuwait.

Back home in Manipur, she has her elder brother Lakpa, sister-in-law Mitsna and younger brother Thoungamba, who are devout believers of the Hindu faith.

With time, Thoungamba is about to get married and Panthoi also comes home to join the celebrations.

While on the way to Kuwait International Airport, the bus she is riding in is hijacked by terrorists.

The terrorists also killed a Muslim couple on the bus.

However, the couple's daughter Sukhi is saved by Panthoi, who then brings her back to Manipur.

Instead of verifying the facts, people spread rumours about Panthoi.

Even her brothers and her sister-in-law refused to believe her.

When it is revealed that Sukhi is a Muslim, both she and Panthoi are driven out of home, while the society ostracises her.

Despite this, Panthoi refuses to abandon Sukhi and goes to a place called 'Panthou Sanggai', a utopian place that does not discriminate on religion, race or colour and every- body lives in harmony.

Although many try to break the mother-daughter bond between Panthoi and Sukhi, they remain unsuccessful.

As time goes on, Thoungamba reaches out to his sister and learns the truth.

He urges Panthoi to come back home along with Sukhi.

Amidst this, Sukhi's paternal grandfathers come to India in search of their granddaughter.

After connecting with Interpol and then with Manipur Police, Sukhi is handed over to her grandparents.

Meanwhile, Sinshubi and her companion Kengba, who are greedy to take over 'Panthou Sanggai' attempt to abduct Sukhi but Panthoi foils the attempt and kills Sinshubi.

Panthoi is then arrested by the police and she says her final goodbye to her adopted daughter, Sukhi.

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