Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory (KMTR) on Sunday presented its mime play ‘Cheitheng’ (Agony) at the Kanglei Mime Theatre Hall, Langthabal Kunja, Imphal West.
Directed by Y Sanananda, the mime play was organised in collaboration with Art and Culture, Government of Manipur under the sponsorship of Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The occasion was attended by commissioner, Art and Culture M Joy Singh and chief editor, Impact TV Shri Yumnam Rupachandra Singh as chief guest and president respectively.
Addressing the gathering, chief guest M Joy said that as there are different characters in a theatrical play, the life of a human being is a composite of different characters. A bad character practiced by a person may be dreadful for a society and family but it can be corrected by showing through theatre instead of the advice given to them. He expressed his hope that there will be a comfortable theatre hall with modern equipment in future.
In his speech as president, Rupachandra said, “We need to give a message to the people for the advancement and betterment of society through Cinema, Mime or Sumang Lila. When people are aware of unwanted things happening around on a daily basis in time through a theatre, there will be change for a better society and family.”
Giving the keynote address, Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory director Y Sadananda highlighted the history and development of mime play. He also said that ‘Cheitheng’, which was created as an experimental mime play in 2005, has been showcased in different countries of the world including South Korea, Greece, etc.
‘Cheitheng’ is based on an episode of the great epic Ramayana. King Dasaratha, the renowned and mighty ruler of Ayodhya, who was very fond of hunting, committed a mighty blunder while hunting in the dense jungle by killing Sharvankumar, who was the only light in the dark world of his blind parents. Dasaratha, who had been cursed by Shavankumar’s parents, was fated to die in agony of separation from his son Rama.
Officials and members of KMTR, theatre enthusiasts and local people also witnessed the play.
Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory, Imphal, a centre for art lovers, enthusiasts and creative artistes, was established in the year 1987. It is the only professional Mime Theatre group in Manipur. It is also a leading Mime theatre group in India.
