Dr. Yumnam Sadananda Singh - Mime Artist & Director : A Profile

Daniel Chabungbam *

Dr. Yumnam Sadananda Singh - Mime Artist & Director

Short Resume of Mime Artist & Director - Dr. Y. SADANANDA SINGH

1. Name of the Artist Dr. YUMNAM SADANANDA SINGH
2. Field of Profession, Specialization, Designation : Director- Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory, (Mime Theatre)
3. Date of Birth : 1st Feb. 1965
4. Postal Address : MOIRANGKHOM MAKHA YUMNAM LEIKAI, IMPHAL (WEST), 795001 Manipur
5. E-mail & web site : sadacult(at)rediffmail(dot)com, www.kangleimime.org
6. Educational/Professional Qualification : a) M.A. in English Literature, Ph.D. in Manipuri Theatre
b) Mime/Theatre Worker since 1978
7. Details of Honour/Awards/Scholarships/ Fellowships received if any
a) Manipur State Kala Akademi Awardee in Mime
b) Scholarship recipient, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India,
c) Jr. Fellowship recipient , Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India
d) Sr. Fellowship recipient, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India,
e) Received 7 nominations in META Awards 2010 and received Best Script + Sound Meta Award in the Mirel Masinghkha (the will of soul)

8. Achievements/Contribution in the Field of specialization :
a) Started acting since 1978.
b) As a director and performer, participated National Mime and Theatre Festival 13 times.
c) Participated in the INTERNATINAL MIME FESTIVAL held in South Korea, 2006,
d) Participated in the INTERNATINAL PUPPET & MIME FESTIVAL held in Greece in 2007
e) Participated in the INTERNATINAL FESTIVAL MIME & PHYSICAL THEATRE held in Macedonia in 2009
f) Participated in the Chuncheon International Theatre Festival, S-Korea 2011 and also participated in the High Fest International Performing Art Festival, Armenia 2011
g) As a folk dancer, participated in the International Youth Conference and Non Align Conference, 1986 and 1987 held at N-Delhi

9. Expert Member of Ministry of Culture
a) Present Expert Member of the Ministry of Culture. Govt. of India (Scholarship/Fellowship and Performing Arts)

My obedient doll by KMTR in South Korea 2006

Bio-Data of Dr. Yumnam Sadananda Singh
www.kangleimime.org

1. Name : Shri Dr. Yumnam Sadananda Singh
2. Father's Name : Late Y. Kalachand Singh
3. Place of Birth : Moirangkhom Makha Yumnam Leikai, Imphal –1
4. Present Address : Moirangkhom Makha Yumnam Leikai, Imphal – 1
Tele Fax. (0385)2452774
5. Date of Birth : 01-02-1965
6. Educational qualification : M.A. in English Literature from M. U.-1989,
Ph.D Degree from M.U.-2008
(topic – "Pre 2nd World War Proscenium Theatre in Manipur" ) supervised by Prof. Tombi Singh.
7. Religion : Meitei Hindu
8. Present Status : Director as well as Secretary of the Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory, Imphal.
9. Expert Member : He is an Expert committee member for selection of Scholarship, Jr. Fellow, Sr. Fellow in the field of Mime Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India.
9. Award received :
i) Manipur State Kala Akademi Awardee in Mime
ii) Scholarship , Dept. of Culture, GOI
iii) Jr. Fellowship, Dept. of Culture, GOI
iv) Sr. Fellowship, Dept. of Culture, GOI
v) META Award 2010 (in script)
vi) Entered 7 nominations for META Award 2010

A scene from 'Mirel Masingkha' - A Non verbal play

10. His Mime Plays in the International Mime Festivals :

a) Participated in the 18th Chuncheon International Mime Festival held at South Korea, performed the play "Cheitheng" based on an episode of the Ramayana in 2006.

b) Participated in the 9th International Puppet and Mime Festival of Kilkis in Greece, held from 27th Sept. to 7th Oct. 2007.

c) Participated in the International Festival of Mime and Physical Theatre held at Macedonia during the 2nd week of March 2009.

d) Participated in the Chuncheon International Theatre Festival, South Korea , 2011, performed the Non verbal play "Mirel Masingkha"

e) Participated in the High Fest International Performing Art Festival, Yerevan Armenia , 2011, performed the Non verbal play "Mirel Masingkha"

11. Details Experience, activities : in the field of Mime Theatre and its allied art forms.

(A) His Participation in Mime Training/Workshop and its allied art forms:

i) He participated in the one month Workshop on "Mime and Ballet" organised by the Panthoibi Natya Mandir, Imphal held from 20th June to 21st July 1984 under the directorship of Madam Jetty Roels of Beljium.

ii) Participated in the "8-day Theatre Workshop" organised by the Manipur State Kala Akademi, Imphal held from 19th to 26th June 1985 under the directorship of Mr. John Martin of London.

iii) Participated in the 3-day workshop on "Mime" under the directorship of Shri Niranjan Goswami, Director Indian Mime Theatre, Kolkata organised by the Manipur State Kala Akademi held from 16th to 18th Nov. 1987.

iv) Participated in the one month "All India Creative Theatre Workers Workshop" held at Manipur University from 4th Sept. to 4th Oct. 1989, organised by Manipur University and Aryan Theatre, Imphal, sponsored by the Ford Foundation, New Delhi, under the eminent directors viz: N. Muthuswami, Banshi Kaul, Kanhailal, Lokendra Arambam, Probir Guha, K.C. Manavendranath, Veenapani Chawla and Rustom Bharucha.

v) Participated in the "Cultural Appreciation Course", organised by the Manipur State Museum held from 17th to 23rd June 1991 at Imphal.

vi) Participated in the National Workshop on "Body Motion and Communication", organised by Forum for Laboratory Theatre, Manipur held from 16th to 30th Nov. 1992.

vii) Participated in the workshop on "Movement", conducted by Miss Sue Weston of London held from 15th to 18th March 1993, organised by Audio Visual Research Centre, Manipur University and Forum for Laboratory Theatre, sponsored by British Council.

viii) As a mime actor and dancer through Manipur State Kala Akademi, he participated in the National Cultural Camp held at Kolkata from 11th to 25th Nov. 1997, organized by Indian Mime Theatre and sponsored by Dept. of Education, Govt. of India

ix) As an invitee delegate/observer of Manipur, He attended in the Festival of Traditional Theatre of India, organised by Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi in connection with their 50 years existence (Golden Jubilee) held at Guwahati from 28th March to 2nd April 2003.

A scene from 'Mirel Masingkha' - A Non verbal play

(B) As a Mime Play Director & Actor/ Resource person:

i) He directed the Mime plays viz: a "Boating", b) "Doll Making", performed by the collection of artistes, recorded by the DDK, Imphal as Youth Programme in 1995.

ii) He directed a Mime play called "Power's Act" performed by the mimists of the Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory in the 1st National Mime Festival held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi from 19th to 25th Sept. 1998.

iii) He directed a Mime play called "Hanuba Hanubi Panthaba", performed in the 2nd National Mime Festival held at Kolkata during the month of Feb. 2001, organised by Indian Mime Theatre, Kolkata.

iv) He directed a Mime play called "Manipur", performed in the 3rd National Mime Festival held at Delhi during the month of Sept. 2001, organised by Indian Mime Theatre, Kolkata.

v) As a director, he participated in the 4th National Mime Festival held at Guwahati in the month of Nov. 2001 and presented his play "Manipur" and "My Obedient Doll"

vi) He directed a new creative Mime play called "Cheitheng" (Agony) based on an episode of the great epic Ramayana, performed by the Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory at Manipur University on 29th May 2005.

vii) He led the Group of the Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory and participated in the National Mime Festival held at Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaipur held from 3rd to 8th March 2006, sponsored by the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC) and Sangeet Natak Akademi-Delhi. The Repertory presented the plays – " Naughty Boy" and "My Obedient Doll".

viii) Under his directorship, on 21st Dec. 2006, the Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory presented the Mime Play "Cheitheng" (Agony) in the Patliputra Natya Mahotsav. And on 22nd Dec. the group presented "My Obedient Doll" in the same Festival

ix) His Group participated in the Shilpgram Festival held at Udaipur from 27th to 31st Dec. 2006, sponsored by WZCC. The Repertory presented the Mime plays – " Naughty Boy", "My Obedient Doll" and "Magic Bottle".

x) His group participated in the National Mime Festival organized by the NCZCC, Allahabad held at Allahabad from 21st to 25th June 2008 and presented the plays "My Obedient Doll", "Naughty Boy" and "Mime Stick Dance" directed by him.

xi) He has been taking class of Mime Theatre to the different theatre and Mime Workshops, some wroth mentioning are – Summer School theatre workshop of Panthoibi Natya Mandir, NSD's Extension Programme in Manipur, Mime Workshop in Kalakshetra Manipur; DEAL Repertory Theatre; National Mime Festival Since last 15 year

xii) Participated in the National Theatre Festival for Children organized by NSD, held from 10th to 20th Oct 2008 presented the following mime plays viz "My Obedient Doll" , "Mime Stick Dance" and "Naughty Boy"

xiii) His Group participated in the 5th Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Award Festival (META Festival) held at New Delhi, March 2010 sponsored by Mahindra Company. The Repertory presented the mime play–" Mirel Masingkha".

xiv) His Group participated in the 13th Bharat Ranga Mahotsav (International Theatre Festival of NSD) held at New Delhi, Jan. 2011 sponsored by National School of Drama, New Delhi. The Repertory presented the mime play –" Mirel Masingkha".

xv) Also, his Group took part in the Kozikode National Theatre Festival held at Kozikode, Kerala in Jan. 2011 sponsored by the Govt. of Kerala, The Repertory presented the mime play –" Mirel Masingkha".

xvi) As a Mime actor, he participated in the Inter College, Inter University, East Zone Inter University and National Inter University Youth Festivals held at different Universities during 1980 (s)

(C) As a paper reader and convenor in the field of Mime and other allied art forms:

i) He presented a seminar paper on " Eengit Anoy (Mime) in Manipuri Traditional Art Form" in the Seminar on Mukhabhinaya is the basics of all Abhinaya organised by the Indian Mime Theatre, Kolkata, sponsored by Department of Art and Culture, Govt. of India held from 18th to 20th June 2003 held at Kolkata.

ii) He was the Convenor and paper reader (Key Note) of the Seminar on "Elements of Mime Acting in Manipuri Performing Arts", organised by the Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory, Imphal financed by the Govt. of India, Department of Culture held at Art and Culture Complex – Manipur on 26th September 2004.

iii) He presented a Seminar paper on "Meitei Phagi Marakta Thok Leela" in the seminar on "Preservation and Conservation of the Cultural Heritage of Manipur" organised by Manipur Library Association (MALA), sponsored by Raja Rammohan Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Kolkata held from 10th to 12th August 2000 at Archives Building, Keisampat, Imphal.

iv) He presented another paper "Manipuri Theatrgi Khongchat: Ngarang Amasung Ngashi" in the Seminar on "Manipuri Theatre: Problems and Prospects" organised by Manipur Dramatic Union, Imphal, financed by the Govt. of India Department of Culture held from 30th to 31st July 2005.

v) Also, he presented a Seminar paper on "History of Manipuri Theatre" (past and present) organised by the Khoriphaba Artistes' Association, Nambol; sponsored by the Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India held from 3rd to 4th November 2007 at Nambol, Manipur.

vi) He was the Programme Convenor of Yaiskul Pana Cultural March in the Inaugural Function of the International Cultural Conference and Festival held from 26th Nov. to 2nd Dec. 1991 at Imphal.

vii) He was the Convenor of the Seminar on "Anisuba Lanjao Mamangi Manipuri Proscenium Theatre" organised by the Panthoibi Natya Mandir, sponsored by the Department of Culture, Govt. of India in the year 1999.

A scene from 'Mirel Masingkha' - A Non verbal play

(D) As a Performer in Dance & Theatre:

i) For the first time of his life in the field art and culture, he danced (Manipuri folk dance) in the Laiharaoba Festival of Yumjao Lairembi, Yumnam Leikai, Imphal in the year 1977/78.

ii) As an actor, Imphal, he participated in the All India Multilingual Short Play Competition 4 (four) times in the year 1981, 1982, 1985 and 1995. Performed the plays "Laikhutshangbi", "Matampakta", "Nungougi Tengthakhol", and "Dharmakshetra" respectively, as the artiste of Panthoibi Natya Mandir.

iii) Also, as an actor, he participated in the same competition mentioned above 2 (two) times in the year 1983 and 1984. Presented the plays "Nongda Apam Thoiba" and "Laikhutshangbi" respectively as the student actor of Oriental College, Imphal.

iv) As a dancer, representing Indian cultural team, he participated in the International Non Align Youth Conference held at New Delhi in the year 1985.

v) As an actor of the Panthoibi Natya Mandir, representing Manipur, he participated in the East Zone Theatre Festival two times held at Kolkata and Patna in the year 1985 and 1987 respectively, sponsored by Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), New Delhi

vi) As an actor of the Panthoibi Natya Mandir, representing East Zone of India, he participated in the National Theatre Festival held on 9th Jan. 1986, presented the play "Nongda Apam Thoiba" sponsored by Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), New Delhi

vii) As an actor, representing Manipur, he participated in the Inter State Cultural Competition held at Delhi from 12th to 17th Jan. 1987, sponsored by the Directorate of Education, Govt. of Delhi.

viii) As a folk dancer, representing Indian cultural team, he participated in the International Youth Conference held at Delhi in the year 1987.

ix) As a folk dancer and actor, representing Manipur University, he participated in the East Zone Inter University Youth Festival held at Manipur University in the year 1988, sponsored by Association of Indian Universities.

x) As a folk dancer and actor, representing Manipur University, he participated in the National Inter University Youth Festival held at Punjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola in the year 1988, sponsored by Association of Indian Universities.

xi) As a folk dancer, representing Manipur, he participated in the Inter State Cultural Exchange Programme held at Kerala in the year 1993.

xii) As a folk dancer, representing Manipur University, he participated in University Students Cultural Meet 1994 held from 11th to 13th May 1994 at Shillong, organized by North East Zone Cultural Centre, Dimapur.

xiii) As a folk dancer and actor, representing Manipur, he participated in Rastrya Yuba Utsava held at Kolkata from 12th to 16th Jan. 1996 organised by Dept. of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India; Sports & Youth Services Department, Govt. of West Bengal; Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.

(E) As a Project Director:

i) Under his initiation, implemented the following projects/festivals successfully viz:
a) "Infusion of Cultural Values in Education through Mime Theatre Workshop" during 2004 to 2010 (7 years), sponsored by Ministry of Human Resources Development, GOI
b) "Integrated Mime Workshop for the Special Children (Deaf) & Adolescent 2010, Imphal", sponsored by Indian Mime Theatre, Kolkata
c) "5- Day East Zone Mime Theatre Festival, 2010, Imphal", sponsored by Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India
d) "Mime Theatre Workshop" sponsored by SNA, New Delhi; organized by KMTR – 29th Feb. to 7th March 2012 at Imphal.
e) National Mime Theatre Festival (10 to 12 Nov. 2012) at Imphal sponsored by Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India

Note: Dr. Yumnam Sandananda Singh was an actor of the Panthoibi Natya Mandir, Imphal Since 1979 to 2000. Also he was the Secretary of the Panthoibi Natya Mandir Since 1991 to 2001