TODAY -

Promotion of Tribal Culture: Three lives, one mission
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Satyajit Usham

Imphal, October 09 2011: HB Ruwngthung Anal comes from Lambung village in Chandel district, Sorinchon Zimik from Tongou village in Ukhrul district and Keishang Teon from Sandang Senba Maring village in Senapati district.

But all three of them today share a common mission: Promotion of tribal culture through theatre.

Until recently, none of them knew anything about theatre.

But exposure to a series of theatrical workshops organised by Khenjonglang, a centre for theatre research, production and community welfare, as part of the Extension Programme of National School of Drama, New Delhi, has fuelled their imagination over the possibility of the wonder that theatre could do for the promotion of their respective cultures.

''You see, in spite of its richness, Anal culture has remained known to many, specially among the youngsters.

But after participation in the workshop, I came to realise that much could be done to promote Anal culture through theatre'', 33-year old Ruwngthung said.

Echoing the same, 22-year old Sorinchon said, ''Richness of Tangkhul culture that everyone has been talking about is practically unknown to many youngsters including myself.

But after the experience of participating in a couple of workshops, I came to know, at least to some extent, what Tangkhul culture is and how rich it is'' .

For 22-year old Keishang Teon too, knowledge of culture was confined to taking part in cultural dances in festivals and social get-togethers, and the whole idea of acting in theatrical performances was something remotely connected to her every day living, not until the first NSD-sponsored theatre workshop, which was organised in her Sandang Senba Maring village last year.

After that, there has been no looking back, the acting bug has bitten her.

Similar workshop held at Tongou village in 2009 proved to be a real blessing for 22-year old Sorinchon Zimik.

Buoyed by the success of her performance in the production play of that workshop, Sorinchon resolutely decided to pursue acting as a profession and her hard work finally paid off with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India selecting her for the Young Artiste Scholarship this year.

Before getting the chance to participate in an ongoing theatre workshop of Khenjonglang at its Irilbung complex, Ruwngthung had no idea about theatre nor had seen any theatrical performance, though he had nurtured a secret desire to hog the limelight all along.

The closest 'theatrical' experience that he ever had was the roles acted out in some one-act plays or skits performed on the occasion of Teachers' Day at school/college.

Sharing the experiences of their theatrical journey so far, Sorinchon said, "Theatre is not just acting.

It is understanding oneself and inter-personal relationship with our immediate surrounding and beyond" .

Keishang Teon felt that she has become more creative, humane and fearless of speaking out her mind on issues dear to her heart.

As for Ruwngthung, exposure to the cultures of other communities has given him a new perspective in life and interaction with the like of 'down to earth' Sumant Kumar, an NSD faculty member has made him humble.

On their future plans, Ruwngthung, who is a graduate, said he would like to see a cultural institute coming up in Chandel district, where people from other tribal communities in the district could also come and learn the aesthetic values of their respective cultures.

For the class XII standard Sorinchon, her immediate target is to complete graduation and then get admission in NSD, so as 'to equip myself fully for the task of promoting my culture through theatre'.

Though aiming for the same, the task, however, is not going to be an easy one for Keishang Teon, who is in second year of graduation, considering the misconception centering around theatre as a possible career option among her folk, who she said 'look upon it as waste of time' .

"Before anything else, I need to convince my folk on the importance of the work I am doing, and for this I have to excel and be somebody first", Teon summed up her predicament.

On the significance of the workshops being conducted by Khenjonglang, its director Dr Thaninleima explained, ''When we talk about cultural activities in Manipur, it has been very Meetei-centric, and if we could fuse this with the rich cultural traditions of the various tribal communities, what a marvellous cultural synthesis it would be !'' .

''Promoting the cultural activities of all the communities in Manipur will help in providing a common cultural platform where ideas could be exchanged.

This will also ultimately help in dispelling mutual distrust and negative feelings among the communities'', the first lady NSD graduate not only from Manipur but also from the entire North East region observed.

But it has been a daunting task for Dr Thaninleima.

Because theatre in its true sense of the term is something alien to majority of the tribal population in Manipur.

Nonetheless, she is grateful that the interest shown by NSD through its Extension Programme would bring about a theatrical revolution in Manipur in which the tribal communities could also contribute their mite.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Students @ Class XII Exam : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • laIAoIrb sn KoHnaH :: Seireng
  • Meiteis fear extinction before PM's boons
  • Journalists should get a uniform pension
  • 1st District Level Taekwondo Tournament
  • Follow MP's model of agricultural growth
  • Straight talk from top BJP leader
  • Different take on President's Rule
  • Imagi Sorat : Folk Narrative Arts #1 : Gallery
  • Extrajudicial Execution & Charge Sheets
  • MoU: Healthcare Access in Bangalore
  • Still Waiting :: Poem
  • Meghnad Saha: Luminary's legacy in science
  • Patra Ji, no one for CM ?
  • Resuming border trade : Misplaced priority ?
  • Focus on Governor's next course of action
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Manipur Medal Tally : 38th National Games
  • Navigating Weird Realities of Corporate World
  • The Power of Poppy - 69 :: Poem
  • Expected floods of beggars to arrive
  • Rh Incompatibility during pregnancy
  • Cherrapunji Craft Gin Raises 1.2 Million
  • Explaining 11th President's Rule in Manipur
  • Lui-Ngai-Ni - Naga Seed Sowing Fest : Book
  • 'Ensure Tamei board exams centre operates'
  • Manipur & her trysts with destinies
  • Kitovi-led NNPGs question Rajya Sabha MP
  • One should always speak of life, not marks
  • Farce of a reason for PR
  • After PR all eyes on ending conflict
  • Draft plan for employment generation #1
  • Loingambi, Mingyashin, Chingri : eMing
  • World Radio Day at Rongdai
  • Focus on present challenges for bright future
  • Ed Sheeran brings India Tour to Shillong
  • Beauty tips for Valentine's Day
  • President's Rule has come !
  • No takers for the hot seat!
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • 50 years of Pebet @MCA #1 : Gallery
  • Kwatha Pham Kaaba :: Movie Review
  • Calls for Resignation of Amit Shah
  • Meitei eschatological belief & ethnic struggle
  • Stop border fencing & restore FMR
  • Failing in a competitive exam is not the end
  • Patra, Bhalla : Men of the moment
  • Warning to social media users amid unrest
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #2 : Gallery
  • Imagi Sorat :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Daily Habits & Mindsets of High Achievers
  • Coerced legislators' resignations
  • Right wing policies threaten gender equality
  • The fall of the AAP
  • Moving fast but to which direction
  • Onus on centre to restore order in state
  • 5 flowering plants newly recorded
  • Kangleipak's Unwavering Soul :: Poem
  • Make books & newspapers your companions
  • Pulses for a diverse agriculture
  • Exam warriors redefined
  • Sheeba Chaddha at Guwahati Asian Film Fest
  • Resignation of CM sinking in
  • Resignation unlikely to help restore normalcy
  • Manipur Statehood Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Mahakumbh : Not just a religious gathering
  • Nepal with largest pictorial health warnings
  • Is war profitable market for arms manufacturer
  • Our CM & party resurrected BJP in Delhi
  • Assamese Play 'Comfort Women'
  • Reading into the resignation reality
  • No stormy session for now
  • Tarao Harvesting Fest @Chandel #6 : Gallery
  • 'Vande Bharat' Dream
  • NSS Orientation Programme at MU
  • The influence of the Golden Triangle
  • The Power of Poppy - 68 :: Poem
  • Prasanna Vithanage at Guwahati Film Fest
  • Md Alimuddin, celebrated Sagol Kangjei player
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Webinar: KM3NeT Mediterranean experiment
  • Redefining Cancer care: People-centered
  • How thought leadership can propel your career
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #3
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • Armed men playing football, taunting Govt
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet