Sougrakpam Hemanta
Manipur State Kala Akademi Award 2013
*
Sougrakpam Hemanta
SHRI SOUGRAKPAM HEMANTA
Akademi Award: Shumang Leela
Born in 1969 at Irom Meijarao Mamang Leikai under Thoubal District, Shri Sougrakpam Hemanta is one of the most popular comedians of traditional Manipuri Shumang Leela. Apart from being a widely loved actor, he is also a successful writer-director and activist of Shumang Leela.
Shri Hemanta’s started his career in Shumang Leela in the early 1980s. A born actor with an immaculate comic timing, it took little for him before shooting to fame and popularity as an actor-comedian.
A wonderful entertainer, it does not amount to exaggeration to state that he has immortalised the characters of Ojha Tolhan and Mantri Dolansana.
The fact that he has been selected for the Best Comedian Award for a record number of 24 times speaks volume of his abilities as well as popularity as a comedian.
In a career spanning over 35 years of Shumang Leela he has acted in above 70 plays including Kanchi Ashram, Eigi Mahao, Lidicigi Gulap, Memsahebki Sari etc.
Over the years, he has worked with and under the guidance of several eminent Shumang Leela artistes including L. Ibotombi Sharma, N. Angouton Meetei, T. Nabakumar Singh etc.
Besides acting, he has directed 15 plays and written the scripts of 8 plays and has also won the Best Director Award. A true lover of the art, he has also been working relentlessly for promotion of Shumang Leela.
Since 1994, he has been conducting workshops in the field. He has also served as Secretary, All Manipur Shumang Leela Council for many years taking an important role in popularising the art form.
For his eminence and exemplary contribution in the field of Manipuri Shumang Leela, Shri Sougrakpam Hemanta is honoured with Manipur State Kala Akademi Award.
* Daniel Chabungbam provided this information to e-pao.net
This article was posted on March 22, 2016.
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