Shumang Leela Festival : 'Panthou Mangel Khenjonglang', a play about love between siblings
Source: Chronicle News Service / Mission Oinam

Imphal, February 28 2023: Sanaleipak Nachom Artistes' Association presented its play 'Panthou Mangol Khenjonglang' on the tenth day of the ongoing 51st All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2022-23 in the Nupa (male) Shumang Leela category on Monday afternoon.

The festival is being organised by Manipur State Kala Akademi at Th Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.

'Panthou Mangol Khenjonglang' is written by Ranjit Ningthouja and directed by Oinam Prafullochandra (commonly known by 'Ihoi'), who also plays the character of 'Panthou' .

The other male characters include Sougrakpam Hemanta (Dr Heramot), Ng Mangiyaima (Thikadar Pukchao), Yumnam Nilachandra (Naoyokpa), Boby Khundrakpam (Achumba), L Dayananda (Naokonba) and M Somorendro (Johnson/Forest Minister) while the female roles' were played by Th Indrajit (Oja Maipakpi), H Tompok (Lamnganbi), K Malemnganba (Inakhunbi) and L Nareshkumar (Laija).

The backstage included K Janeman (male voice), K Sanatomba (female voice), N Roshan (Tabla/Pad Drum), RK Johnson (Guitar), K Ringo Moirang (Keyboard/Music Direction), Ajit Yambem (Flute) and lyricist Ranjit Ningthouja.

In the play, Panthou is father to two sons and one daughter.

His daughter Laija has been in a long-term relationship with Achumba, the only son of Dr Heramot.

Panthou's eldest son Naoyokpa is an employee of Forest Department and married to DFO Lamnganbi, who works at the same office.

His middle son Naokonba and daughter-in-law Inakhunbi are both Sankirtana artistes.

Naoyokpa is unsatisfied with his pay and as such, gets involved in illegal timber smuggling to augment his wealth.

Amidst this, Achumba cleared the Indian Forest Service examination.

One day, when Achumba and Laija met to elope, Naoyokpa assumes Achumba is trying to abduct his sister and as such, brutally beats him while dragging Laija back home.

After this incident, Achumba and Laija no longer keep in touch and Laija stays at home, taking care of her weak father.

Meanwhile, Achumba is appointed as the chief conservator of Manipur Forest working hard to conserve the forests.

He takes action against Naoyokpa, his acquaintance Johnson and Naoyokpa's wife Lamnganbi for the illegal timber trade and suspends all three from their posts.

They assume that it was all orchestrated by Laija through Achumba.

As such, the conflict between the daughter and the daughter-in-law leads to the death of Panthou and chaos grip the family.

However, Dr Heramot manages to end the family discord and arranges his officer son to meet with Laija, at 'Panthou Mangol Khenjonglang'.

Naoyokpa releases the ins and outs of the issue and remarks that both the daughter and the daughter-in-law are women.

He then urges all women to understand and work with each other to bring about a better society.

Comment