New Delhi, March 10 2009: Banian Repertory Theatre's magnum opus � Rajarshi Bhagyachandra written by Prof MC Arun of Manipur University and directed by MC Thoiba will be staged at the Akshara Theatre on March 15 at 7 pm on the closing day of the three week-long festival- Romancing India's North East organised by the Akshara Theatre.

Rajarshi Bhagyachandra produced in 2005 was a widely acclaimed Manipuri play for having a new dimension in production style and creating provocation to the audience in paving the way for a new outlook of Manipuri contemporary society.

Rajarshi Bhagyachandra depicts the crucial period of the 18th century in the history of Manipur.

Manipur was on the threshold of change.

New realities and the challenges of its expanding boundaries were heralding the need to emerge from its cocoon of traditional beliefs and values, and of a new paradigm.

The second half of the 18th century belonged to Rajarshi Bhagyachandra who was a man ahead of his times; a poet and a visionary who perfected a unique blend of Vaishna-vism and Manipuri culture and created Ras Lila; and a soldier and a king whose relentless war campaigns elevated Manipur to a major player in the region.

In the play, the life and times of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra evolves from a fierce debate between Bidhu, a status-qouist and Amita, a firebrand radical.

The debate centered round the much-touted theme of war and peace, tradition and change, and of power and politics in the backdrop of 18th century Manipur.

The debate also turns into a quest for understanding contemporary situations of conflict and changing realities.

The director of the play M.C.Thoiba stated, "The play is an experiment in blending historical events and its interpretation, maxims and dialectics, and meaning and justifications." MC Thoiba, a renowned theatre personality of Manipur is known for his productions of historical based plays.

He successfully directed historical based plays like Andhya Yug, Kalinga, Phouoibi, Shakhangkhidraba Lanmi (Unknown soldiers), Treaty of Yandaboo, Munbikhraba Leingak (Lost kingdom), Ipu Thangal and Kumudini.

His play � Mayol Hundraba Yenning (Disrpted Spring) participated in the Rang Swarn Golden Jubilee Theatre Festival, 2003 organised by National Sangeet Natak Akademi at New Delhi and 6th Rang Mahotsav 2004 organised by the National School of Drama at New Delhi He also serves as a regular theatre columnist in the Telegraph.

MC Arun is a non-conformist thinker teaching social anthropology in Manipur University.

He has two books in English namely Family in Manipur and People living in HIV/AIDS to his credit.

Besides his academic and research works, he is a critic and analyst of Manipuri theatre.

His major interests are political anthropology, history of ideas and social problems including gender issues.

He emerged as a playwright from his debut play-Rajarshi Bhagyachandra.

His other plays are Who is afraid of Nongmeikapam Sanajaoba, Kumudini and Ipu Puya Thadoklasi.

Jalabala Vaidya, Artistic Director of Akshara Theatre said, "The spectacular Manipuri play- Rajarshi Bhagyachandra weds theatre and music with dance and the martial arts.

The play merges history and contemporary life to tell the story of the iconic Manipuri king Bhagyachandra.

So I scheduled the grand production on the closing day of the extravaganza cultural event".

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