'Mythical Surrender' in line for META
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 07, 2011: The Mythical Surrender, a Manipuri play performed by the artistes of NT Theatre and directed by Ningthouja Deepak has been nominated for the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards, 2011 in as many as nine categories.

Theatre critic and columnist of The Sangai Express (Manipuri edition) Budha Chingtham is the playwright of the widely acclaimed play.

The nominated categories are best play, best director for Ningthouja Deepak, best stage design for Ngariyambam Jiten and Takhellambam Sachikumar, best lighting director for Gurumayum Imotomba Sharma, best innovative sound design for Ningthouja Jayvidya, best costume design for Thoudam Kiyo and Chongtham Loyalakpa Chanu, best actor in a leading role (female) for Nepram Dhanapati Devi, best supporting actor (male) Ninthouja Jayvidya and best choreographer for Ningthouja Deepak.

Accordingly, the theatre group has been invited to participate in the drama competition of the Mahindra Theatre Festival due to be held from March 2 to 7 either at Kamani auditorium or Sriram Centre, New Delhi.

Addressing a press conference at the Changangei complex of the theatre group today, director of NT Theatre Ningthouja Deepak said that it is an honour to get so many nominations in one play.

Deepak explained that his play is constructed upon the backdrop of military combing operations conducted as counter insurgency measures in the NE region of the country.

In the storyline of the play, one woman (Shanarei) was raped by a serpent like human and thereby making her enceinte.

Such a heinous act left an agonising, oppressive and everlasting memory in her life.

When the child born out of these unholy alliance grew up, it used to adopt the serpentine manners of the rapist.

Unable to bear any longer, the mother killed the son only to save the future of her society.

It is said that Mythical Surrender is one of the 10 plays nominated for the award from out of 246 entries for all the all India competition.

The best director award carries a cash reward of Rs 75,000 while Rs 1 lakh for the best production ward.

Deepak further informed that ahead of the Mahindra Theatre Festival, NT Theatre would be drama festival for the North East from February 19 to 28and the META nominated Mythical Surrender would be performed on the first day of the festival.

Other plays which have been nominated for best play along with Mythical Surrender for the META award, 2011 are Aaj Rang Hai (Aarmabh & T Pot Productions), Ambedkar Aur Gandhi (Asmita Theatre Group), Bayaa Daar Ughad (Awishkar), Dancing on Glass (Actors Ensemble India Forum), Mamtaz Bhai Patangwale (aRANYA), Punashccha Honeymoon (Samanvay), Red Sparrow (aRANYA), The Interview (Akvarious Productions & Le Chayim Productions) and Tichee 17 Prakarne (Aasakta Kalamanch).

The selection committee reportedly consisted of Deepa Gehlot, Bishnupriya, Jaidev Taneja and Mridula Behari.

Comment