Kabuliwallah : Manipuri Jagoi Marup's shradhanjali to Tagore

Rajmani Ayekpam *

Rabindranath Tagore is one of the greatest literary and artiste figures of India in the twentieth century. So, many observations from literary and cultural circle have been arranged in connection with commemoration of Tagore's 150th birth anniversary. Manipur organized many celebrations in many forms. Literary organizations organize seminars, symposiums etc. Theatre groups staged many plays of Tagore while dance institutions staged many dance drama and ballets based on Tagore's drama or short stories.

Manipuri dance is indebted to Tagore very much. Tagore introduced Manipuri dance to Shantiniketan as one of subjects in performing arts during early part of 20th century. This was the first time Manipuri dance got into contact with modern education system.

Earlier, education of Manipuri dance was done in Gurukul system. Tagore's impetus on Manipuri dance helped it to become one of subjects taught at the master level in University. Now, Manipuri dance is becoming a growing subject and even produced PhD degree holders. Shantiniketan and Manipur University have a good number of PhD scholars in Manipuri dance.

Manipuri Jagoi Marup's (MJM) Kabuliwallah is the latest artistic venture from this State in commemoration of 150th birth anniversary of Tagore.

This institution was founded under the guidance of Guru Amubi Singh, doyen of Manipuri classical in 1963. This group has given more than 7000 performances all over the country and visited dozens of foreign countries like Japan (nine times), Bhutan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Rangoon, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Kuwait, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Macau, Thailand, Israel, USA, Dubai, Australia, Russia and New Zealand etc. Besides being specially invited to perform at the Rastrapati Bhavan, New Delhi in honour of the visiting dignitaries, the Manipuri Jagoi Marup has produced five dance dramas, 22 ballets.

On February 25 (Monday), 2013 Manipuri Jagoi Marup (MJM) staged its latest ballet production 'Kabuliwallah" at the auditorium of Jawaharal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) based on Rabindranath Tagore's short story 'Kabuliwallah'. Th Chourjeet Singh is the chororegrapher and director of the ballet while Ng Ibopishak Singh is the Music director.

Th Bimola Devi supports the ballet as a Asst. choreographer while Devjani Chaliha is the Consultant. The other partici- pating artistes are – Lakshmi (child Mini), Reepa (bride Mini), Martina (Kabuli-walla's daughter), Rashi (Kabuliwalla's daughter), Manihar (Kabuliwallah), Sudhir (Mini's father), Jinen, Ranjan, Abungcha, Rajen and Henry etc. are male artistes (chorus) while Reena, Memcha, Suchitra, Victoria, Sandhyarani, Memicha, Ro-shini, Reeta etc. are female artistes (chorus).

On back stage, Priyokumar, Megha-chandra, Ebopishak, Chourjeet, Joychandra, Sashikumar and Nokuljeet are as musicians while Ajit in Light and Enaocha as Asst. in light, Sarat as Costume, Gelenti and Bimola as Asst. in costume, Kunjakishor as Make-up and Bobby as Music Recorder. The ballet runs for around 50 minutes.

Theatre, film and dance tried to depict the story of Kabuliwallah in their own style. Even in Manipur, one theatre group produced a play based on Kabuliwallah and that production was also a good production. Manipuri Jagoi Marup's Kabuliwallah ballet is an attempt to depict the story of Kabuliwallah in Manipuri dance medium.

Beautifully choreograph dance movement, exotic costume, haunting music and colourful light can sustain attention of the audience till end of the ballet. Audiences stay little longer after the end of the ballet to glimpse some of the artiste.

The overall production was good but it has to improve in many areas. The costume design needs to speak on time, place and cultural root. Mixing of many cultural roots in costume designing on a particular character gives confusion to audience and has to ask himself what's cultural root of this character, say e.g. Mini. A good set design can give a look to any ballet production.

So, it's normal in many theatrical and ballet productions to hire a good designer. However, set design is another area neglected by director in this ballet. The light design was colourful to look at but it needs to accuracy and meaning of colour at different time.

Beautifully choreographed dance was another facet of this ballet. However, around ten minutes of vigorous dance movement give a good opening but slow and pathetic dance movement in the next scene decreased the tempo of the ballet. Introduction of Mini to Kabuliwallah needs little more elaboration.

The artiste in the role of Kabuliwallah needs more stylized movement to energize his character. Dramatic actions among the dance movements need more dramatic action (mimic). It needs to pay more attention to exit and entry during play. The movement of Sudhir in the role of Kabuliwallah's daughter was minimized but powerful expression is commendable one.

Reepa, in the role of bride Mini, has good looks and beautiful dance movement is another commendable one. The performance of other participating artistes as chorus supports to make it more beautiful to look at. In all, MJM's new production Kabuliwallah was a successful one.