'Angaobise Eigidi Emani' : Synopsis, Director's Note
Synopsis, Director's Note
A Play from Paradise Theatre

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A scene from 'Angaobise Eigidi Emani' played at Maharaja Chandrakriti Auditorium (MCA) on 23 Jan 2014 :: Pix - Ashok Ningthoujam

The PLAY Amidst the crisis for retaining the territorial boundary of Manipur, the mother is suffering with anxieties to protect her children from many danger. With the memoirs of great June uprising for the protection of territorial boundary, more anxiety was created in the mind of the people of the state. Now, the incident has been subsided but the conflict sustains. The mother announces, violence is finished. Her son Yaima started expressing his anger which is supported by his younger brother Khomdon.

The eldest son Achouba remains silent and keep controlling his anger. The day passes. The lost of our faith of finding ways and means of earning money is well displayed on the white cyclorama. It has been preoccupied by other people from outside the state. Yaima and Khomdon are discussing about their present economy status. They don't find any hope for future in terms of self-sustained economic development and to maintain a peaceful life.

After a while, Yaima out of his anger, runs out to fight with the neighbour who has been frequently disturbing his life. The worried mother shouted for help from the neighbourers. Yaima was badly injured in his head and died because of the injury. Ibochouba also could not save his younger brother.

Khomdon is lamenting for his deceased brother Yaima. Shouted to release his anger and decided to revenge the death of his beloved brother. The mother consoles him, tries to subside his anger but he is out of control and runs out to fight with his neighbour. Even Ibochou could not control him. He also dies ultimately.

After the death of her two sons, the Mother is now deeply shocked and depressed. Even though, the dispute of land and properties is discussing with Ibochou. She advises her son that indulging with aggressive nature is an indiscreet habit. Lost of one's life and death will be the consequent result. She has lost her two sons and is suffering of losing them. Ibochou has a different idea. He is in quest of finding a way to protect the territorial boundary of the State. He shares the deep sorrow of losing his brothers with his mother. The Mother has now become insane.

The Mother is in chain and lock. She struggle to loosen the chain but fails. Ibochou shares the psychological condition of his mother with the audiences. She is the mother of great sons. The son who had lost / sacrificed their lives in the struggle of protecting the territorial boundary and the. independence of the Motherland. The struggle continued .... and will continue generation after generation till the Mother is completely free from any bondage.

Director of 'Angaobise Eigidi Emani'

The DIRECTOR

Born in Imphal, Manipur 1963. Graduated from National School of Drarna, New Delhi in 1989 and completed one year fellowship of NSD. Organised three years research work on "ETHNO METHODOLOGY OF ACTOR'S TRAINING" sponsored by FORD FOUNDATION, NEW DELHI. Awarded "UNESCO ASCHBERG BURSARIES FOR ARTISTS 1995".

Worked with Mr. AUGUSTO BOAL (Author of the Theatre of the oppressed) for three months at Centro-Do-Oprimido, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil under the bursary of UNESCO. Directed more than 30 plays. Acted in films and also directed films. Presented plays in many national festivals like Bharat Ranga Mahotsav, Nandikar, Abhinaya, etc. Awarded "Lalit Ninghing Khudol Award" (2013) conferred by Theatre Centre Manipur.

At present:
1. Member, Selection Committee for Scholarship, Ministry of Culture, Govt, of India.
2. Member, Standing Committee, Theatre & Shumang Leela, Manipur State Kala Akademi.

The Group
Established in the 1940s, the theatre group entered a new phase with the creative experiments initiated by L. Kishworjit on his return from NSD in 1989. The Company produces at least two plays every year; taking part in several national festivals in different cities of the country, Its latest productions Thouna Phabi Ima a Manipuri adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children ms recently premiered at the Shrine Playhouse of the Chorus Repertory Theatre, Imphal followed by an open air performance before three thousand audiences.

And the play Acheekpagi Khonjel another Manipuri adaptation of Henry David Hwang's The Sound of the Voice ms premiered at the Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi in 2006. The same play is again revised and improved specially for the OCTAVE 2009. In 2010, the play Angangba Kabirei was shown in the OCTAVE in Aurangabad. Participated in Bharat Rang Mahotsav, organised by National School of Drama, New Delhi three times and two times in Nandikar Festival, Kolkata.

The Director's NOTE

The play while reading in the beginning observes simply the conflict / dispute of land between the two neighbouring families. But after reading several times, the incident resembles the consciousness among the people of Manipur for protection of territorial integrity which is also the underlying current of the play. The performance is designed to bring forward the underlying current of the text by using theatrical devices.

The narrative structure of the original text which was drawn by the playwright requires restructure, omission and little addition was also done to highlight the theme more visible to the audiences.

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