Manipur on Monday joined the rest of the globe in celebrating World Theatre Day 2023 under the theme ‘Theatre and a Culture of Peace’. In the state, the celebration, organised by Manipur Department of Arts and Culture, was held at Maharaja Chandrakirti auditorium, Palace Compound, Imphal.
Speaking as chief guest of the occasion, doyen of Manipuri theatre, Ratan Thiyam, who is also the chairman of Chorus Repertory, emphasised the urgent need to enact a feasible Manipur culture policy to safeguard, preserve and promote the growth of Manipuri culture along with all its diverse aesthetics.
Ratan Thiyam further stated that artistes would be able to sustain themselves and dedicate their talents completely if a practical culture policy was mapped out.
“It will be tremendously useful in supporting the artiste community in Manipur, a few if not many but sadly such a policy is still a far cry in Manipur,” he lamented.
The chairman claimed that passing down of cultural information and knowledge from one generation to the next is the primary determinant in survival of various art forms in Manipur. He maintained that disruption in the transfer chain had put up a horrific scenario in Manipur with all cultural art forms slowly fading into oblivion.
Ratan Thiyam further reiterated that inability to maintain a proper livelihood is the reason behind the sharp decline of theatre enthusiasts in Manipur.
“The question of sustainability haunts upcoming theatre directors and artistes in Manipur and this has led to artistes taking up other professions therefore impacting the survival of theatre arts in the state,” he said.
On the occasion, Ratan Thiyam highlighted that World Theatre Day is a celebration of all the different endeavours the human species had surpassed and the overall journey of theatre arts at large. However, he stated that the celebration had been foreshadowed by wars and numerous conflicts playing out in the modern age.
“Human advancement in technology has only promoted selfish agendas to snatch, occupy and kill innocent lives; humans have lost their humanity,” he said.
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The chairman further questioned how the future generations would continue if such atrocities continued on.
Stating that shedding of the colonial and western influences finally led Indian theatres to flourish, Ratan Thiyam stated that the efforts of Habib Tanveer, Shyamananda Lal, Mohan Rakesh among others great theatre directors exhorted the rise of Indian theatre on the world stage.
He further highlighted that protesting against grave injustice, misuse of power and violence of natural laws had always been the basic character of theatre arts ever since its inception.
Meanwhile, renowned theatre actor Sabitri Heisnam stated that upcoming theatre artistes had to map out measures to firmly re-establish the art form in Manipur.
She mentioned that shortage of theatre actors in Manipur is the main issue reeling the survival of the art form at the moment. Slow decline in audience and theatre enthusiasts are also adding to the problem, she added.
During the celebration, several prominent Manipuri theatre and Shumang Kumhei artistes were also felicitated. The theatre play ‘Aronba Khusil Thourang’ by Khenjonglang was also shown on the occasion.
Commissioner of Arts and Culture, M Joy Singh, prominent artistes and officials attended the celebration.
Meanwhile, Theatre Centre Manipur on Monday also celebrated World Theatre Day at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul, Imphal.
Chairman of Manipur Cultural Council K Radhakumar, treasurer of Theatre Centre Manipur P Khongendra Singh and Retd director of JN Dance Academy L Upendro Sharma among others were present at the celebration held at the Manipur Press Club, Imphal.
