Imphal, November 18: Manipuri play Nong-in directed by RK Khogendra Singh under the banner of the Forward Artistes Centre Encamped (FACE), Imphal will be staged on November 21 at Abhimanch Auditorium here.

The 65-minute play Nong-in is one of the 14 plays selected for the National Theatre Festival for Children currently held from November 14 to 27 under the auspices of the National School of Drama.

Four plays in Hindi, two each in Assamese, Bengali and Kannada, one each in Urdu, Tamil, Marathi and Manipuri are participating in this 14-day festival.

The Manipuri play depicts the eternal relationship between the Manipuri culture and its flora and fauna.

Nong-in is a rare bird found in the hills of Manipur.

It is described as Bird of Cloudy Weather by Chiru tribe and Bird of Heaven by Tangkhul tribe of Manipur.

Bird hunting for feathers and meat, deforestation and human interference in nature has posed the question of survival of Nong-in.

About the production, Director R.K.Khogendra Singh said he developed the play on experimental basis to present the deteriorating environmental conditions of India with special reference to Manipur.

The Director used the forms of traditional Manipuri dance movements, Nata Sankritana, martial arts, rhythm and music in his production.

Satyajit Lancha, K.Ranjan, Saterjit, K Bishworjit, Rakesh, Surjit, Lala, RK Hemjit, H Bidyalakshmi, N Nivarani, L Baby Eliza, W Priya, Ch Seema, RK Riya, E Sujeta, N Bidyasana, H Sunita and O Ronika are the artistes on stage.

Dr Kh Samungou scripted the play, and G Surchandra Singh scores music.

In his career as Director and Choreographer of FACE, RK Khogendra Singh directed plays and dance dramas namely Nonglen Shangda Ingallei, Athithee, Thiba, Hijan-Hirao, Keiraak and Tatkhraba Punshi Leipun.

A Masters degree holder, he is a professional dedicated to theatre who has established himself as one of the promising directors of Manipur, following the foot-steps of other famous directors.

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