Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Manipur theatre artists enthrall Delhi New Delhi, Dec 30: Various theatre lovers in Delhi had a special treat from north-east India, recently as they attended a Manipuri play here. The play "When we dead awaken" was staged by Ratan Thiyam, the noted Manipuri playwright and theatre director during the Delhi Ibsen Festival organized by Royal Norwegian Embassy in collaboration with Dramatic Art and Design academy. In 1899, Henrik Ibsen wrote a story "When we dead awaken", which is about the celebrated sculptor Arnold Rubek and his wife Maia. The play, based on this story, was reflected an intense desire for life. The festival offered a platform to theatre artists for showcasing their talent. R.K Bhogen, one theatre artist, said: "We encourage those who are interested in joining theatre. Everyone is welcome. Be it a Tangkhul, Kuki or Meitei, if they are interested, we will train them." Ratan Thiyam, the theatre Director on this occasion, said: "We are ver...

Nurturing beauty among currents of violence: If the masthead of this newspaper (The Telegraph) were long enough, or if the type it used were smaller, this column could have carried the title: ‘MEETING A MAESTRO ON A MISTY MORNING IN MANIPUR’. Over the past decade, the little and beautiful state of Manipur has replaced the larger and even more beautiful state of Nagaland as the second most troubled part of India (the Kashmir valley, of course, being the first). Other insurgencies in modern India have been, for the most part, a straight contest — between the insurgents and the Indian State. True, the rebels have had their factions, but these are all united by the dream, or fantasy, of taking their territory out of India to construct a new, sovereign, nation. In Manipur, on the other hand, there are three distinct insurgencies in simultaneous operation. The first insurgency is led and staffed by the Meiteis of the Imphal Valley. This seeks to make the whole of Manipur, as it now stands, i...

Ratan Thiyam to be honoured with D.Lit: The Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, has conferred the Degree of Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) on renowned dramatist Ratan Thiyam of Manipur. A message from the vice chancellor of the university, Prof Karunasindhu Das, has informed that the dramatist will be honoured with the degree at the university’s 33rd Annual Convocation slated to be held on May 7 at the Jorasanko Thakurbari in appreciation of Thiyam’s highly distinguished contribution in the area of drama. Abdul Kalam's poetry books released: Manipuri version of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's poetry compilation "The Life Tree" translated by SP (CID) Dr Ibocha Soibam was released on Sunday at Imphal office of Writers' Forum by the Forum's president IS Kangjam. Noted author BS Ramkumar elaborated on the Manipuri version of the book entitled "Punshi Pamel". Meanwhile, a book entitled "Gandhigee Mityengdagee' penned by Moirangthe...

Thiyam’s Wahoudok to kick off festival: New Delhi, Dec 29: In the recent 38th International Film festival of India held in Goa, Manipuri cinema had been able to show its vibrancy with the entry of three films in the Indian panorama section at a time. And again in the field of theatre, the Manipuri theatre has proved its excellence with the entry of five Manipuri plays in the forthcoming 10th Bharat Rang Mahotsav to be organized from January 3 to 20 in Delhi as a grand event to mark the 50 years of National School of Drama (NSD). It is also a rare honour to Manipuris that the Manipuri play Wahoudok (Prologue) directed by world-renowned theatre personality from Manipur, Ratan Thiyam will be staged as the inaugural performance of the engrossing Indian international theatre festival to be held in Delhi and a satellite festival in Mumbai from January 6 to 17. Apart from Ratan Thiyam’s production, four other Manipuri plays -- Kshetri Jugindro`s Ghashiram Kotwal, L.Kishworjit`s Thouna Phabi I...

Conferred Rockefeller award: Imphal, Dec 14: Adding another cap to his glittering career, renowned theatre personality Ratan Thiyam has been named for the Asian Cultural Council’s John D Rockefeller Award 2007 in recognition of his extraordinary achievements as a theatre director, writer, designer, musician, actor and cultural exponent in Manipur, India and internationally. The Award is generally conferred on an individual from Asia or the United States who has made a significant contribution to international understanding, practice or study of the visual or performing arts of Asia. This award for outstanding professional achievement commemorates the deep and long standing interest of John D Rockefeller in Asian art and culture, said Chorus Repertory Theatre in a release. Posted On: The Sangai Express Another Story: