Ashalata-gi Hakchang : Give Peace A Chance

Meghachandra Kongbam *

Banian Repertory Theatre, Imphal's latest play - Ashalata-gi Hakchang (The Body of Ashalata) which was premiered at the auditorium of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal on November 15, 2010 enlightened the audience by opening different thoughts of peace employed by different public in conflict situation. The year long celebration of the Silver Jubilee Year 2010-2011 of Banian Repertory Theatre, Imphal was kicked off by the former Director of North East Zonal Cultural Centre Aheibam Birendra as Chief Guest with the performance of the play Ashalata-gi Hakchang.

Set in the 21st century, the play Ashalata-gi Hakchang is essentially a treatise on the politics of insurgency and the impact of conflict situation wherein both the State and Non-State Actors propagate violence as a means of achieving the desired end. The 'body' of a young woman Ashalata caught in the conflict triggers a debate ranging from the question of life and death of an individual as against the dehumanized situation to violence as a means of resolving conflict. Is non-violence an option in such a situation? It is also a question which remained unresolved in the complexities of conflict situation. The play asks what would be the role of general public in bringing peace. Can peace process be possible without the words of general public?

M.C.Thoiba, Director of the play said, “The play in an attempt to search the meaning of peace”.

Critics' Forum, Manipur, an active body of intellectuals for development of performing arts in Manipur organized a discussion session of the play-Ashalata-gi Hakchang on November 28 at the residence of M.C.Thoiba with I.S.Kangjam, a noted litterateur and the President of the Forum as moderator.

Buddha Chingtham, an eminent theater critic described the playwright M. C. Arun, Associate Professor of Anthropology in Manipur University as politically committed playwright. The play was very contemporary and the dialogues were very typical and forceful, he added.

Another theatre personality Loitongbam Dorendra who had been committed for revival of defunct Manipuri theatrical form of Moirang Parva stated that the play was an unusual play of words but fragmented poetry with visual metaphor.

Wareppa Naba, President of Theatre Centre Manipur and Director of Theatre Mirror, Imphal described the combination of the director M.C.Thoiba and the playwright M.C.Arun was very good. He had earlier witnessed Rajarshi Bhagyachandra and Kumudini of the two. The play was a presentation of intellectual debate or discourse and provoked him with a pleasure for a new thought, he added.

For discovery of new thoughts in solving contemporary complex situation through his plays, Aheibam Birendra who was also a theatre personality and former Director of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur described M. C. Arun as a maverick playwright.

Banian Repertory Theatre, Imphal, one of the leading theatre groups in Manipur was founded in 1985 by late Maibam Surshen, an NSD alumnus. It was an ensemble of young energetic theatre workers engaged full time. The group produced more than 20 plays and participated in Rang Swarn- Golden Jubilee National Theatre Festival 2003 organised by Sangeet Natak Akademi at New Delhi, National School of Drama's 6th National Theatre Festival 2004 and 12th Bharat Rang Mahotsav- Annual International Theatre Festival 2010 at New Delhi, India's North East Performing Arts Festival 2009 organized by Akshara Theatre at New Delhi, Vizal Bhaskar's Bahu Bhasha Natkotsav- National Theatre Festival 2009 at Hyderabad and Abhinaya National Theatre Festival 2010 at Hyderabad. The group also participated in many state, regional and zonal drama festivals.

Some major productions of Banian Repertory Theatre were Andha Yug, Bhisma, Ashina Achumbani Aduna Achumbani, Kalinga, Phou-oibi, Munbikhraba Leingak, Tapta, Treaty of Yandaboo, Sakhangkhidraba Lanmi, Mayol Hundraba Yenning, Ipu Thangal General, Rajarshi Bhagyachandra, Kumudini, Muktadhara and Laibak-ki Wa.