IMPHAL,April 12 (EMN): Distribution of awards to the talented artistes and sharing of thoughts on its importance marked the 16th Shumang Leela Day in Manipur on Wednesday. Shumang means Courtyard Leela means play.
As usual, Shumang Leela Day is observed here under the aegis of Manipur State Shumang Leela Council (MSSLC) at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen in Imphal this afternoon to commemorate the artiste who had not only preserved and protected the folk theatre, but also to cherish the theatre which has been changing with time.
Born and nourished in the soil of Manipur, thematically religious earlier in olden days, has now become more matured and relishing in form of an infotainment, more defining as a feature of socio and secular theatre of today.
Manipur’s Education Minister who is also the Sympathiser of MSSLC, Th Radheshyam Singh was the chief guest of the day’s observation. In his speech Radheshyam said the teachings of Shumang Leela should be inculcated within the society.
“There is a need to understand the teachings of story portrayed in the Shumang Leela and its importance in the society as a didactic form,” says Radheshyam. “Being an important part of the Manipuri society since it has and always been the medium nourishing the society in varied ways before the evolution of the day’s electronic media.”
Shumang Leela can’t be isolated from education as it tries to define every human relation and behaviour prevalent in the society, he felt.
There is a need to discuss the relevance of Shumang Leela in the society so as to be able to take the society towards a brighter and positive environment by taking the morals from the plays.
In the day’s observation, the Iboyaima Award was presented while Completion Award of Iboyaima Shumang Leela Fellowship (2016 - 17) was awarded to journalist for their contribution in the Shumang Leela was given to Surjit Maibam of Sanaleipak Daily while the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Fellowship to newly appointed journalist, 2017 – 18 was given to Herojit Nongmaithem of vernacular daily Naharolgi Thoudang.
In his presidential speech former minister Dr M Nara Singh said Shumang Leela is one of the strongest medium for unification of Manipur being the most popular art form of infotainment,successfully conveying the message of oneness and equality.In the function family members of late Thokchom Iboyaima and the members of the MSSLC also attended the function.
