Imphal, August 31: Under the objective of chronicling history of Shumang Leela from its formative period to gradual transformation the art form has undergone through the years a workshop is being envisaged in October this year.

the proposed workshop would be held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen in Palace Compound from September 15 till october 29 under the sponsorship of National School of Drama's Extension Programme with Manipur Shumang leela Council as the hosts.

Elucidating on the workshop spanning 45 days during a media briefing at the Council office this afternoon, Project Director of the Workshop Birjit Ngangomba said focus would on phase-wise deliberation from the very beginning of Shumang Leela till the present stage.

He highlighted that individuals well versed in manipuri theatre, historians and budding artistes (trainee) would be among other persons taking part in the workshop where every detail of the art form would be documented for its preservation.

Theatre exponent and graduate of NSD, Thanil Leima joining the media interaction pointed out that with the recognition of Manipuri Shumang Leela as traditional theatre the same art form has today become very attractive and commands wide audience.

She, however, expressed that when Shumang leela is studied/assessed as an exclusive art form and in its entirety there are several missing links such as lack of information from the period associated with folk and legendary tales till current stage of sophistication.

As such for extensive documentation of Shumang Leela after intense deliberation during the workshop period relevant records would be compiled for subsequent publication, she said while adding that an English translation on the art form and its history would be presented for preservation in the NSD.

The Council's secretary Sougrakpam Hemanta confided that many scholars from other parts of the country would be attending the workshop and desired that only those individuals who are genuinely committed to the profession of Shumang Leela either as an artiste or seriously aspires to be a scholar on the art form participate at the workshop.

The first five days of the workshop would be dedicated to exhibition and staging of Shumang Leelas depicting the periods from Moirang Parva upto the present age, Hemanta maintained.

He also informed that services of veteran artistes would be roped in to retain originality of stage plays such as Puya Meithaba, Abir Khan etc which will also be invaluable in understanding periodical transformation of Shumang Leela.

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