Manipur Dramatic Union

Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU) is the oldest theatre group in Manipur, India. It was established on 15 March 1931.

By March 2012, MDU had produced 198 long plays of various categories and 34 short plays in experimental format (total of 232 plays). MDU produces at least two new long plays and short play every year. MDU stages "''Tikendrajit''" in August, "''Krishna Avataar''" on Janmsatami and "''Lamyanba Irabot''" in September every year.

Background

in early years, dramatic performances in Manipur consisted of dances performed during religious festivals (Lai Haraoba, Raslila, and Gostha). During the rule of Maharaj Chandrakirti, performers of burlesques received royal patronage. Lacking proper script or structure, these performances relied on histrionics or banality. After the British took over Manipur in 1891, there was a lull for more than 10 years. When Maharaj Churachand,returned to Manipur, he is said to have taken a keen interest in performing art forms, especially after his exposure to plays outside Manipur.

The first scripted play in Manipur was "''Pravas Milan''" staged in 1903 in Bengali language with Manipuri actors. It was the first proscenium play of Manipur. The next play was "''Pagalini''" in 1905, which was a Manipuri translation of a Bengali play. In the subsequent years, a strong wave of theatre emerged in Manipur. Various schools presented dramas during Saraswati Pujah. One play among them was "''Partha Parajay''" (1915).

In 1925, Lairenlakpam Ibungohal Singh wrote the first original Manipuri play "''Narsing''". It was staged for the first time on 30 September 1925 at the mandapa of Govindajee Temple. This play was later presented by many groups of theatre enthusiasts, students all over the state.

Founding of MDU

In the late 1920's several men in Manipur formed the Yaishkul Nipamacha School Drama Party’. a theatre group. The founders were Sorokhaibam Lalit Singh, Chingakham Mayurdhaja Singh, Hijam Irabot Singh, Khomdram Dhanachandra Singh, Nongmaithem Tombi Singh and Ngangbam Shyamkishore Singh. They later changed its name to ‘Meitei Dramatic Union’. To attract a wider audience, the name was changed again to Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU).

On 15 March 1931, MDU stated ‘''Areppa Marup,'' its first play. It was written and directed by S. Lalit Singh. Its first show was funded by Maharajkumari Tamphasana Devi.

The second play was ‘''Sati Khongnang''’ (1931), MK Binodini, in her book "''Churachand Maharaj gee Emung,''" wrote that Maharajkumari Tamphasana wanted to record "''Sati Khongnang''" and had even called Lalit to discuss it. Unfortunately, Tamphasana died before any steps could be taken. MDU started staging ‘ticket plays’ on a regular basis.

MDU staged "''Devala Devi''" (1932), "''Savitri''" (1933), and "''Karna Arjun''" (1934) in the next few years.

Performance venue

The original MDU performances were staged in an outbuilding at Nangbam Shyamkishore, the maternal estate of the Maharani Dhanamanjuri, an MDU patron. However, the Maharani did not approve of ticket plays on her estate and MDU was forced to move.

MDU moved to a corner of land owned by Chingakham Mayurdhaja. Hijam Irabot took active role in constructing a stage there. He also designed the emblem of the theatre group, which is a cross-plough.

Irabot was also an actor. In a scene from ''Areppa Marup,'' his character desperately needed 200 rupees. So Irabot called out several times for "lupa channi…" (two hundred rupees). The Maharaj Churachand, who was in the audience, shouted "hey nunggi lupa channi do eingondagi louro!" (take your two hundred rupees from me!).

In 1937, MDU constructed a theater on Yaiskul Police Lane, where it would reside until 1985.

Sorokhaibam Lalit Singh

The MDU director, Sorokhaibam Lalit Singh, brought a completely new perspective and style to theatre techniques. Previously, it was a convention for actors not to show their back to the audience. Also, it was quite common for actors to deliver their dialogues in high pitch (vir ras), banging their feet again and again on the stage floor. A part of the stage was fitted with wood fixtures that produced loud sounds when kicked.

Lalit brought about a more realistic and scientific acting style. Actor/ director (L) Chandam Gopal, who played Bilamangol in "''Bhakta Bilamangol''" said that for delivering dialogue with only 2 words- " ah rakhal!", Lalit taught him the syllables that were to be delivered while inhaling/ exhaling, pauses, etc. along with appropriate emotions. No matter how hard Gopal had tried, he could not perfect it in most of the cases.

1940s to 1960s

In 1942, MDU suspended its productions when Allied troops occupied the hall. Military authorities added electrical service to the theater before returning it to MDU in 1945.

In 1949, MDU stage its first production in seven years, a play based on Tikendrajit Singh. It was discontinued after a few shows but was revived in 2002.

In 1954, MDU’s folk play "''Haorang Leisang Saphabee''" won the Best Play Award (Folk Category) at the National Drama Festival in New Delhi. It was the first play from Manipur to win a national award. Other plays from this era included "''Tonu Laijinglembi''"(1956), "''Ningol''" (Chapter 1 &2, 1956 &57), " ''Shakuntala''" (1957), "''Kege Lamja''" (1958), "''Ramer Sumati''" (1958), "''Alexander''" (1963) and "''Meitei Khungang''" (1969). L. Thambalngoubi, who played Shakuntala, was nicknamed "Shakuntala shabi". Similarly, H. Thambal Sharma was nicknamed Alexander as he had played that character.

1970s to present

From 1970 on, MDU focused on social plays. These include "''Shutti''" (1972), "''Mangluraba Mani''" (1973), "''Mamou Ibemma''" (1985), "''Lonthoktabagi Wari"'' (1986), "''Lonnabi Macha''" (1987), "''Lamyanba Irabot''" (1996), "''Shunnugi Mahao''" (1998), "''Amanba Yum''" (2000), "''Eikhoi Pabung Peng Choire''" (2008) and "''Kamala''" (2009).

Stagecraft

MDU is also noted for its stagecraft. RK Chandrajitsana Singh (RKCS) created sceneries, backdrops of buildings, huts trees and various cuts-scenes.

The pioneer of stagecraft was Kangabam Lala Singh. He created the fly of the Sudarsan chakra in "''Uttara''", the funeral scene in "''Sati Khongnang''", the buzzing of a bee in "''Shakuntala''", the fissure of a wall and the crossing of the Yamuna river in "''Krishna Avtaar''", Bishma lying on arrowbed, the emerging of Ganga, the water fountain coming up to quench Bishma’s thirst in "''Kurukshetra''".

References

*Pre 2nd World War Theatre in Manipur, ed. Y. Sadananda &Y. Munindro, Panthoibi Natya Mandir, 1999.
*Manipur Dramatic Union, Ngarang Amashung Ngashi, ed Telem Upendra, MDU 2000.
*100 Years of Manipuri Proscenium Arch Theatre, ed. L. Damodar, Dr. Lokendra Arambam, Dr. N. Premchand, Dept. of Art & Culture, Govt. of Manipur, 2002.
*MDU-Platinum Jubilee Souvenir, ed. B. Jayantakumar Sharma, MDU, 2006.
{{coord missing, Manipur

Culture of Manipur
Theatres in India