The ballet, 'Shri Shri Kaina Govinda'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 15 2011: The Association for Paona Memorial Arts and Rural Development Services, Thoubal Wangkhem under the financial assistance from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi, presented a ballet, 'Shri Shri Kaina Govinda' on February 13 at MDU Hall at 4.00 pm.

S Videswar, Secretary in charge, Manipur State Kala Akademi, Imphal, Padmashri G Gourakishor, Director, Huyen Lallong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association, Irilbung and Dr Ch Renubala, District Leprosy Officer, Thoubal District graced the function Chief Guest, President and Guest of Honour respectively.

The Ballet is based on the worshiping of the image of Lord, Shri Govinda at the Palace Temple, which was carved out of one Jack-fruit tree incarnated by Lord Krishna at Kaina Hillock of Manipur.

K Hemchandra is the Script Writer, G Biseshwor is the composer of Thang-Ta, L Setajit is the Choreographer, Director and K Sanathoiba is the Consultant of the play.

The story of the play went on as - One day Khellei Nungnang Telheiba (maternal uncle) begged some portion of land of Meidingu Chingthangkhomba, popularly known as Rajarshi Bhagychandra, who succeeded to the throne of Manipur (Meitei) Kingdom in 1759 AD, to expand his kingdom.

However, Baghyachandra denied the request without the consent of his people.

Khellei Nungnang Telheiba invaded against Bhagyachandra with the help of the mighty army of the Burmese King.

Bhagyachandra was defeated in the war and ran away for taking shelter for some time in the court of Ahom (Assam) King, Swargadeva Rajeshwar Singh' .

The King Swargadeva received a secret letter from Khelei Nungnang Telheiba to kill Bhagyachandra saying that Bhagyachandra was an imposter and not the real King of Manipur (Meitei).

The King, Swargadeva took a decision for an elephant test.

The king asked Bhagyachandra to tame his mad elephant, which nobody dare to go near it and even a single bird could not flew over it.

On hearing the news, Bhagyachandra felt deeply sorrow.

He prayed to the Lord, Shri Govinda (Lord Krishna) to favour him in the task.

The Lord appeared in the dream of Rajarshi with blessing not to despair about the King's decision.

The Lord would tamed the mad and rough elephant for him.

The Lord also told that He would grow as a Jack Tree at Kaina Hill of Manipur to carve out His image and to be worshiped.

On the next day, with the grace of the Lord Govindajee, Bhagyachandra succeeded and could prove that he was the real king of Manipur.

Then, with the help of the King Swargadeva, Rajarshi Bhagyachandra regained his throne.

The image of Shri Govinda was carved out of the Jack-fruit tree, incarnated by Lord Krishna at Kaina Hillock.

On the day of inauguration of the image of Lord Govindajee (Govinda Nirpan) at the palace temple, Rajarshi offered Ras Lila to the Lord Shri Govinda.

Synchronized effects of lights and music with the flow of actions of the artistes and choreographs of the play made the production a living one.

The play recalled the senses of spiritual and religious concepts to bring peace and prosperity to the unrest modern society.

Comment