A word of praise on AMADA's piece 'Opium War'

S Neken Singh *

If we wish to inform and educate people effectively for a social cause, we have to definitely utilize a popular mass medium which has cultural suitability and local acceptability. AMADA's choice of Shumang Lila for its anti-drug campaign may be termed as a wise decision.

For reaching the heterogeneous population in both rural and urban areas, Shumang Lila is the best choice as rich and poor, educated and illiterate, old and young - from intellectuals to illiterate housewives - all comprise an audience for Shumang lila. Besides Meiteis, tribal groups and muslim community are also very much enthusiastic and interested in these performances.

The spectacular extravaganza of 17th December 2009 at BOAT with the most popular group 'Peacemaker Artists' Association' stands as ample proof of its popularity in the state beyond doubt. The thronging crowd was so huge that the organizers had to add a second show that very night to the already planned premiere show of the unique creation "Opium War".

Prior to the real on-the-stage release, its unparallel director appealed to the spectators to comment on the sequences directly or indirectly through media or otherwise. But as a member of the audience, I personally feel there was no loophole to comment on except that some more comic scenes may be added to entertain the audience.

The first and last scenes could well establish the relevance of the story to Manipur situation at present. Thanks to director Birjit Ngangomba and playwright Jiten Ningthouja for their unique creation. The play will indeed help mould a mass character in AMADA's movement against drugs and substance abuse in the state. My humble examination of the play can well extract four strong messages:

Power and drugs

The problem of drug and substance abuse anywhere in the globe is directly or indirectly related to political power. The play no doubt dwells on the political purpose of the opium trade by the then England government to conquer China.

In this effort, young Chinese minds were maligned with opium. Widespread opium addiction in the then China could be materialized due to the strength of British power during that time. Likewise, the play beautifully depicts the strong political will of the Chinese ruler that could put an end to opium trade in China. Now China has excelled in almost all aspects because of its true patriotism, work culture and rigid traditional values.

In similar vein, we speculate involvement of people in high offices in drug trafficking for their personal gains in Manipur. Many young breeds of the so called high class families in the state fell prey to drugs. There have been stories of our political leaders and security high-ranks involved in drug trade. Hence, such issues as drugs and alcohol cannot be resolved without the political will of the ruling elite.

Cultural invasions on youths

The play also gives the message that young people who are amused with alien cultures and who neglect their traditional values of living will meet a futile end. Most young people of the state are now indulging in glamorous habits and lifestyles portrayed in various media.

They are made to even discard their very own cultures and traditions by the continued onslaught of new media like satellite TV channels and films. Their morale is negatively influenced by the so called cultural invasion, blind aping of the west, changing costumes and dresses of young boys and girls, easy lifestyles, bad habits, modern music, advertisements of various products portraying sex for business etc.

Parents responsibility

When her only two daughters were caught in the British opium net, the Chinese mother in the play committed suicide saying that these were due to careless attitude of the parents. So, parents have a big responsibility in bringing out drug free sons and daughters.

Of course, the degrading and all round system failure affecting every aspect of the society aggravate the problem of drug addiction in Manipur. Young people take drugs for many reasons. May be they do so in order to cope with the frustration in life due to poverty, unemployment, broken family, unrest of mind and for self-amusement or for satisfying company of friends etc.

Many youths indulge in drug abuse to gain acceptance and popularity among the peers. Parents should be held responsible for such mistakes committed by their wards because they are the real friends, real teachers and real security for the children.

The overall theme is meaningful and worthy of praise. A mother of a drug addict made her son read the book on 'opium war'.

The book was so well convincing that the boy could recover from addiction and became a good boy. Thus, the play also strongly highlights an ideal mother's role in recovering affected sons from the scourge of drugs.