Black Orchid : A play by Star Kamei

Bidyarani Thingujam *

Star Repertory's play in Kabui language - 'Black Orchid' at MDU, Imphal on 19th December 2015 :: Picture Credit :- Som Sorokhaiba

Star Repertory's play in Kabui language - ''Black Orchid'' was presented at Manipur Dramatic Union Hall Saturday 19th December 2015 . The play written by Budha Chingtham was translated into Kabui and directed by Star Kamei. The Play will be staged at ADI-BIMB- All India Tribal Festival Of music, Dance and Drama Festival hosted by National School of Drama from December 29 to 31 at Shantiniketan, West Bengal.

SUMMARY OF THE PLAY: BLACK ORCHID

Scene One: The vacant interior of the Lecture Hall of a Trauma Recovery Centre. Blackid, who is recovering after undergoing treatment at the centre, enters to say goodbye to the elimical psychologist Dr. Gaishonglung to go home. Blackid accidentally touched the button of the slide-projector machine which was kept on the table and many a scenes and snapshots appeared on the screen. On seeing them Blackid is haunted by the past traumatic experiences in her life and she screams.

Dr. Gaishonglung makes Blackid seated on a chair to calm her down, then Blackid begins to narrate the past incidents of her life one after another. In the next moment, Dr Gaishonglung begin to tell the story, which Dr Soihem told his dearest friend all about Blackid.

Scene Two(Flashback): It is a solitary and isolated village situated in a far-flung area, there is the Primary Health Centre which is situated between the two camps. On the adjacent side of the centre, there is a thatched hut, Blackid, a woman of captivating beauty is seen drying fishes. Gaishonglung frequently glamus at Blackid and pour water for the woman to drink. After a few seconds, incessant gun-shots and exchange of fire are heard from the two camps.

Scene Three(Flashback): Kapou Poujagai and Blackid are seen dejected and disappointed as the army have prohibited the villagers to go to the big stream for catching fish. Blackid plays her to with an objective of restoring peace. After a while when the army announced that villagers can go to the big stream for catching fish. Kapou and Blackid's little brother too went to the big stream.

In the meantime, somewhat relieved from their tension and anxiety, Blackid and Dr. Soihem talked and express their inner feelings to each other, suddenly a deafening sound of explosion of landmine bombs is heard. And a few moments later, those villagers who have gone to the fields returned carrying the mangled body of Blackid's little brother.

When Soihem examined it, the wound was found to be fatal that the body succumbed to it. Blackid's eyes becomes red with rage and goes out of the place carrying the body in her arms, after angrily spitting at Gaishonglung.

Scene Four(Flashback): One day in the morning Dr Soihem found Kapou and Blackid doing their works in the hut after their long absence. Now a little baby is on her back. Blackid bring the baby to the doctor for examination. Suddenly, Blackid cried out a terrific scream and holding her child ran to her village screaming all the way.

Soihem being puzzled and confused over the unexpected development returned to his quarter. And during the late hours of that night, villagers came to kill Soihem with weapons in their hands. Because the villagers mistook Blackid's screams as a result of Soihem's attempt to outrage her modesty. But luckily the chowkidar saved him from the angry mob by sending Soihem through a secret hill path.

Scene Five(Flashback ends and normal scene once again): Dr. Gaishonglung continue his narration. After hearing all these stories, and when Blackid prepares to go home with with her little son in her arms, Dr. Soihem comes out and stands there. Blackid looks at him with surprise and a gaze of profound love and affection in her tearful eyes, presented the La, the nrah traditional musical instrument, her dearest treasure, a symbol of peace and tranquility to Dr. Soihem.

Picture Credit :- Som Sorokhaiba
Story Collection by :-Bidyarani Thingujam

See a photo gallery of 'Black Orchid' Play here