51st All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2022-23
Two plays of same name based on Moirang Kangleirol on first day
Source: Chronicle News Service / Mission Oinam

Imphal, February 11 2023: After the 51st All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2022-23 was inaugurated on Friday at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, here, two plays of the same name 'Samu Khongyetpa' based on Moirang Kangleirol opened the competition on the first day on Saturday.

The first play was presented by The Shiv Yatra cum Drama Association and the second play by The Chanura Yatra cum Drama Association.

Both the plays are based on the legend of Khamba Thoibi, who is believed to be the last of the seven incarnations in Moirang Saiyon of Moirang Kangleirol.

Except for some artistic changes in the details by two different script writers, both plays are same of nature.

The synopsis of both plays is the attempt to kill Khamba by Mathang Khanba Chingkhuba and Angom Nongbal by tying him on the leg of an elephant, which was let loose in the middle of the night, in a bid to get rid of Khamba so that Chingkhuba can marry off his daughter Thoibi to Nongbal.

Lord Thangjing informed Thoibi about the incident and it became known to the people of Moirang kingdom, which led to imprisonment of the two by the king.

Later, Salang Maiba, the godfather of siblings Khamba and Khamnu came and saved the life of Khamba.

The first play has been directed by Naorem Ibohal on the script of L Sushila.

Sundari, Omila, Lata, Bonorani, Ibeton, Kiranmala, Bala, Thoibi, Nivedita, Romabati, K Dhanabati, Bidyalakshmi, Kh Nongmaithembi, B Dhanamanjuri, H Rita are the cast members in the play.

Kh Nivedita, N Ratan and Ringo are the backstage crew responsible for costume, makeup and music respectively.

Despite their efforts, the play had some weak moments in drawing attention of the audience and there were instances when some of the artists forget their dialogues thereby affecting the performances.

The second play has been directed by M Lolibala on the script of Naorem Romen.

In a slight difference from the first play, the second play build up the plot behind the conspiracy to kill Khamba with a cloth woven by Thoibi for Khamba.

Her father Wangoi Ningthou Chingkhuba wanted the cloth but Thoibi gifted it to Khamba.

Miffed by the act, Wangoi Ningthou swore to kill whoever wears the cloth and he saw Khamba wearing it during Langban Ukai Kappa.

He plotted the conspiracy to kill Khamba with Nongbal.

However, Thoibi got wind of the plot and came running to Moirang Keithel with a knife and saved Khamba's life.

The cast members are L Nungshi, S Rita, Shaktika, L Bilasini, Angom Leima, Y Teleshwari, A Bijaya, M Lolibala, Joyshri, Prity Laishram, S Elizabeth and M Matouleibi.

The play was able to attract attention of the audience moderately and Prity Laishram, who played the role of Thoibi, showed some potential to become a good artiste with more efforts.

Some artistes, however, were weak in dialogue delivery.

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