Shumang Leela Festival : 'Sajibu Nongma Panba', a play searching for an equal society
Source: Chronicle News Service / Mission Oinam

Imphal, March 02 2023: Iramdam Manipur Artistes' Association presented its play, 'Sajibu Nongma Panba', on the 12th day of the 51st All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2022-23 for Nupa (male) Shumang Leela category on Wednesday afternoon.

The festival is being organised by Manipur State Kala Akademi at Th Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.

'Sajibu Nongma Panba' is written and directed by Jibi Sharma with the male characters portrayed by Keisham Kuber (Nokphade) as Lainingthou, Arapati Joy (Punshiba), Robin (Munda), Taibang Sarangthem (Hari) and Bikash Y (Mangal) .

The female roles were played by Budha Louremba (Panthoi), Devchand Khuman (Ayingbi), Suman Kakching (Thaballei) and Angangcha Khunou (Singgarei).

Meanwhile, the backstage consisted of Pahari Macha (male voice), Pathou Angomcha (female voice), Boby Sharma (Tabla), Jackson (Guitar), Ringo (Keyboard), Nelson (Pad Drum), Bikramjit (Flute) and lyricist W Ranjit.

In the play, widow Panthoi is a mother to two daughters, Singgarei and Thabellei.

Singarei is in a relationship with Hari and Thaballei with Hari's friend Mangai.

Misogynist Munda, the son of a former minister, has bad intentions towards Singgarei and gets angrier after repeated humiliations.

Singgarei and Punshiba are forced into marriage (Keina Katpa) due to Munda's machination.

Punshiba is already married but owing to the incident, brings Singgarei to his home.

Despite this, Punshiba considers Singgarei as his younger sister and Singgarei regards him as his brother.

Punshiba's wife Ayingbi is also aware of the whole thing and does not take both of them wrongly.

After the incident, Ayingbi goes to Hari and asks him to take her back.

Hari fails to take her back and a heartbroken Singgarei returns to Punshiba and Ayingbi's home.

Meanwhile, Punshiba and Ayingbi do not have a child.

Taking everyone into consideration, Ayingbi decides to have Punshiba and Singgarei married and takes Ayingbi as her younger sister.

Amidst this, Munda turns his greedy eyes on Thaballei and tries to take advantage of her.

But Thaballei bravely fights off Munda and kills him, thereby avenging her sister.

Although Thabellei is jailed for murder, she is hailed by the people and warmly welcomed back when she is set free on bail.

Later, on one Sajibu Nongma Panba (the first day of the lunar month of Sajibu) or Cheiraoba (Lunar New Year), Hari comes to take Singgarei back but she rejects Hari and drives him away as she is already married.

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