Manipur Research Forum, Delhi (MRFD) hosted a talk and a play by Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, noted alternative theatre person and media analyst on the theatre of resistance in Manipur on the 6th January 2007, Saturday at Jhelum Lawn, Ganga Dhaba, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

The cast of the play called "Revolution - Counter-revolution" consisted of women students from Delhi School of Social Work, University of Delhi along with Mr. Mukherjee.

Preceding the play, Mr. Mukherjee talked briefly about the political culture in Manipur, especially touching upon the issues of the theatre of resistance within the larger context of the society.

Pointing out the visible dichotomous trajectories within Manipur, he said that there is a strong and vibrant movement against draconian Acts like AFSPA in Manipur whereas on the other hand, one could see that even the Editor of a local daily newspaper could be kidnapped.

While these divergent and at times contradictory elements could be found in the political culture in Manipur, the resistance theatre in Manipur most often do not reflect directly on these issues. He pondered that resistance theatre seems to be happily couched in attacking well-known and established enemies.

The play in its attempt to break down the traditional notions of space in theatre, innovates and interrogates the sense of alienation between the spectator and the spectacle.

The theme(s), and to a large extent the script of the play, has been chosen from some of the well-known contemporary poets in Manipur like Sri Biren, Ibopishak and Robin Ngangom.

However, Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been on a protest fast for more than six years demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, runs through the play both in the form of its thematic thrust as well as using some of her poems, which poignantly reflects the situation in Manipur.

The play revolves around the issues of atrocities perpetrated by the armed forces and the brutalisation of the society as a result of militarization.

A line from the play, "When armies come we close out legs; when armies go we open our legs" reflects the climate of insecurity, especially faced by the women in Manipur.

At the same time, it was also a self-reflexive subtle cautionary remark to the movement against the AFSPA, not to be swayed by the electoral gimmick of the coming Assembly Elections in Manipur.

Moreover, the play is also a reminder that the epic fight by Sharmila is beyond endorsements by Human Rights activists, groups and the media. The play makes an attempt to link the issues faced particularly in Manipur within the global context of neo-liberalisation and the War Against Terror.

The event of hosting the play by MRFD is a part of an endeavour for critical engagement in the issues and events that pertain to the societies of the north-east in general and Manipur in particular.

Check out the gallery on this play here.