Government school children from Manipur hills stage landmark theatre production
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 03 2026: In a significant milestone for arts education in hill districts, children from a government primary school staged a full-length theatre production rooted in indigenous storytelling at Khangshim village.

The production, mentored by theatre practitioners Mayengbam Bobo Singh and Sorinchon Zimik, is being viewed as a rare - possibly first - instance of a professionally guided children's stage production by a hill-district government school.

The play, Hompui and Ngachirchaa (The Tiger and the Little Frog), was staged at the K Koshang Memorial Community Hall as the concluding presentation of an intensive 10-day children's theatre workshop.

Government school children from Manipur hills stage landmark theatre production

Performed by the students of Khangshim Primary School along with children from nearby areas, the programme was organised by the School Management Committee of the school in collaboration with the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR).

The programme was graced by Keisham Pradipkumar, chairperson of MCPCR as the chief guest, while Ch Anita, member MCPCR, also attended the programme, reflecting institutional engagement with child-centric, arts-based initiatives in government schools of the hill districts.

The play opened with a contemporary scene depicting a child falling ill due to excessive mobile phone use and being haunted by virtual game characters, before transitioning into a folk tale inspired by the Khoibu community.

Through the story of Ngachirchaa, a small frog who overcomes the mighty tiger Hompui through intelligence and awareness, the production challenged conventional ideas of power and dominance.

The performance also addressed wider concerns such as screen addiction and its impact on children's social interaction, discipline and participation in cultural life.

Folk songs, dances and visual elements inspired by local flora were woven into the narrative, reinforcing cultural identity and a strong sense of place.

Observers noted that professionally mentored children's theatre remains extremely rare in the hill districts, particularly within the school system, and described the initiative as a promising model for integrating arts-based learning and cultural continuity in public education.