5th Khundongbam Brojendro Theatre Festival kicks start
Source: IT News

Imphal, January 18 2020: 5th Khundongbam Brojendro Theatre Festival kicks start today under the theme 'Theatre Crossing Boundary'.

Theatre group from Bangladesh, Tripura and Assam are taking part in this festival held at JN Manipur Dance Academy.

The inaugural function begins with a heart throbbing fusion cultural performance "Tairen".

Later, Theatre group Kanglei Living Arts, Uchiwa performed Khundongbam Brojendro's play 'Karinungee Nupee Lonjaruba' .

The play is directed by Th Premjit.

5th Khundongbam Brojendro Theatre Festival kicks start

Speaking on the inaugural festival, renowned theatre director Ratan Thiyam recalled on the contribution by late Playwright Khundongbam Brojendro.

"This festival is a great contribution for promoting art and culture" Ratan Thiyam begins his speech and expressed dissatisfaction to the attitude showed towards eminent playwright, artist and other cultural activists.

"Society always considers festival lightly.

There is no place for leader and great men in our society" the internationally acclaimed theatre director said.

"This society has never recognized and done anything for our leaders and artist.

I have been hearing politician praising culture but have never seen taken up anything for the art and culture lovers" , Ratan Thiyam said.

He further appealed the people and theatre lovers about the need to do more research on the work of Kh Brojendro.

To Ratan Thiyam the uniqueness of Khundongbam Brojendro's is that his plays are based on Naturalism naturalistic and realism realistic.

Mohan Rakesh was the first playwright to introduce reality play in India and for Manipur Khundongbam Brojendro was the first playwright to try on social play, Ratan said.

"Kh Brojendro is the playwright which can write manipuriness realism" , Ratan said.

5th Khundongbam Brojendro Theatre Festival kicks start

Prof N Tombi, noted theater critic and scholar who attended as guest of honor in the inaugural function said that Khundongbam Brojendro was an outstanding comedy playwright and dramatist after GC Tongbra.

Brojendro's views were always reflected in his play.

He wanted to reform the corrupt society.

His play depicts the social wrongs in a satirical way.

He not only wrote satirical and comic play but also written serious tragic play, Prof N Tombi said.

Chairman of the festival committee Dr RK Nimai highlighted the problems faced by theater performers and activist in the state.

Khundongbam Brojendro aka Momon was born on January 18, 1946 .

He is the son of Khundongbam Itocha and Angom Ningol Ibaychoubi and eight children he is second son.

He completed his master Degree from Lucknow University.

He served Co-operative society as an inspector and retired as Asst Register from the same office.

Ningamhoudraba a Sumang Leela play was his first work.

He wrote many Leela some of the selected are Bor Interview 1977 .

At that time this plays (Sumang leela) performed over 150 times at different places particularly at Roop Mahal Hall.

Some of the Drama he wrote are - Haigatlang 1977, Ei Mamani 1978, Echasa Epa Lamboiraga 1980, Ema ge Mamou 1978 .

Echa sa Epa Lamboiragay , one of his classic play was performed for around 160 times at Rupmahal theatre and still holds the record for maximum number of plays to be ever perform in Manipur.

After some year MGM theatre also plays his drama, some of the drama are Mou Mari 1977, Nonglei Nungsit 1982, Ngamkhei wathok 1985, Luhongba mathal 1997, Refugees 2000 .

Some of his leela were also played as teleplay and also broadcasted in the radio and were also made as a film.