Plays, 'Liksangnu Saphabi' & 'Tengthakhol' enthrals audience
Source: Chronicle News Service / Mission Oinam

Imphal, February 17 2023: As part of the ongoing 51st All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2022-23 organised by Manipur State Kala Akademi at Th Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound; plays, 'Liksangnu Saphabi' and 'Tengthakhol' by Yangam Leirak Nupi Leela Association and Malom Tulihal Awang Leikai Nupi Chaokat Thourang Lup respectively were presented in the Nupi Shumang Leela category on Thursday.

The first play, 'Liksangnu Saphabi' is based on Moirang Kangleirol, and it showcases the strong bond between a mother and a child.

The play begins with Kudang Khutkoiba, an elder residing in Kege Moirang Leipak (kingdom) arranging the marriage of his adopted daughter Liksangnu Saphabi, who had been abandoned by her own mother at birth.

However, Liksangnu fell in love with a young man while going out to take care of the paddy field.

As a result, the arranged marriage was broken up.

A humiliated Kudang Khutkoiba kicked out his adopted daughter from home.

As fate would have it, the young man happens to be a reincarnation of Chingu Pakhangba.

After sometime, Liksangnu gave birth to a baby boy, who was named Sana Yoiren Chand by Chingu.

Chingu also gave the mother-son duo a Chingu Cheishu Yaioiba.

Later, Liksangnu returned home in Moirang and sought refuge at the house of Khuyon Kunthouba.

One day, Khunthouba visited the palace and brought the Cheishu Yaioiba, which he left on the palace doors.

Unfortunately, son of the Moirang king disrespected the Cheishu Yaioiba, which then led to his death.

Owing to this, the king's guards started a search to arrest the mother-son duo.

Liksangnu then handed her son to Khuman ningol Yangoitabi and went to prison.

Yangoitabi then raised Sana Yoiren Chand till adulthood.

At the time, there was no king ruling the Awa kingdom.

As per the instructions of the almighty, they (Awa) had been searching for a suitable person to become the king and came across Yoiren Chand.

They then took away Yoiren Chand from Khuman Pung and he ascended the throne as the King of Awa.

On hearing news of this ascension, his adoptive mother Yangoitabi came to Kabo (Kabaw) Leipak.

Amidst this, Liksangnu, who took in Khunthouba as her father, came to Kabo in search of her son.

King Sana Yoiren Chand took in both his birth mother Liksangnu and adoptive mother Yaongoitabi as his two mothers, showing his gratitude and equal importance of the two women in his life.

Written by Nabadwip Ningthouja, the play has been directed by M Purnimasi.

The male characters are played by Rk Ranjana Devi (Nongda Lairen Pakhangba), P Memcha Devi (Moirang Ningthou), B Lalita Devi (Kudang Khutkoiba), A Sakuntala Devi (Khuyon Khunthouba), Th Maheshwari Devi (Sana Yoiren Chand), M Menaka Chanu (Shoishenba), Kabita Devi (Leishang), and the king's guards portrayed by Kh Memton and Momolini Devi.

The female characters were portrayed by Santhalembi Moirangthem (Liksangnu Saphabi), Bedarani Devi (Yangoitabi), Akoijam Rebika Devi (Chengleingambi), and Liksangnu's friends played by S Eliza Chanu, Th Ingalembi and Kh Aliya.

The artistes of Yangam Leirak Nupi Leela Association performed the play very well and all the artistes tried to give their best performances.

Still, more efforts could be made to improve the play so as to touch and move the hearts of the audience.

Meanwhile, the second play of the day, Tengthakhol' is centred on the deep sorrow experienced by a father who has lost his child.

The protagonist, Haosi Namoinu lost her mother at a young age.

Her father, Chaklei Loikenba brings home Leirangton to take care of Namoinu.

Contrary to his expectation, Namoinu was treated badly by her step-mother whenever he (Chaklei) was far away from home.

One day, her stepmother hit her on the head with a 'Kongyang Khabei'.

An angry Namoinu transformed into the Harinongnang insect and flew away.

When Chaklei returned home and found Namoinu missing, he started searching for her.

The neighbours informed him of the ill-treatments that Namoinu was subjected to by his second wife.

An extremely regretful and aggrieved Chaklei cried and called out for his daughter, and hence, the name of the play, Tengthakol'.

The play has been written by S Tomba Meitei and directed by Tarunkumar Thangjam.

The male characters were portrayed by Laishram Khomdonbi Devi (Chaklei Loikenba), P Sarda Devi (Chengei Ningthouba), L Subharani Devi (Chingkheiba), Ng Chaobi Devi (Taothong Hanubak Ch Leima (elderly villager), L Bijaya Devi (Hemamba Mimaba), S Leikham Devi (Khongloi) and the Tamnalai characters by Ksh Lalitabi, Y Binasakhi, H Manorama, S Utarani and Y Ningol Leima Devi.

The female characters were played by L Jessica Devi (Haosi Namoinu), T Lata Devi (Leirangton), Y Indira Devi (birth mother Leiranghan), Ng Rameshwori (Hiyainu) and Ph Sangita Devi (Ponjengnung).

The artistes of Malom Tulihal Awang Leikai Nupi Chaokat Thourang Lup performed the play with full sincerity, with some of the artistes playing their roles deeply.

Further efforts into the play will surely stir the emotions of the audience even more.

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