Imphal, December 23: Nungougi Tengthakhol of Art and Culture Performing Academy, Thongju has swept away with nine prizes including Best Play and Best Direction in the 8th Rupmahal Artistes� Memorial Drama Festival, 2007 which concluded today.

The play is directed by Gunindro Chabungbam.

Other awards won by the play are 2nd Best Script (Rajen Yumnam), Best Stage/Light (N Ingocha and L Shyamkishore Meitei), Best Music (Purnanda Wangkhei and Subhash), Best Make-up (NK Monalisha Chanu), 2nd Best Actor (Th Naba Singh who played the role of Ustad Isha), 2nd Best Actress (L Moirangleima Chanu who played the role of Nur Fatima) and Best Child Artiste (N Mangol Meitei).

Nunshithel of Langmeidong Dramatic Union which was a strong contender in the festival won six awards including 2nd Best Play, 2nd Best Director (Dr Y Radheshyam Singh), Best Script (Arambam Somorendra Singh), Best Actor (Yumnam Dorendrajit Singh who played the role of Abdullah), 2nd Best Stage/Light) and 2nd Best Discipline theatre group.

The awards were presented during the valedictory function held in this evening today with Commissioner of Art and Culture P Bharat and chairman of Rupmahal Theatre O Birmangol as chief guest and president respectively.

Meitram Bira Award, 2007 was also handed over to the recipient Labuktongbam Shyamdev Sharma by the chief guest at the occasion.

The 8th Rupmahal Artistes Memorial Drama Festival, 2007 was organised in connection with the 64th anniversary of Rupmahal Theatre, one of the oldest surviving theatre groups in Manipur today.

In all 14 theatre groups had participated festival.

Other award winning dramas and their theatre groups are Shiroi Lily of Eastern Manipur Artistes� Association ( Best Actress for L Somola Devi who played the lead role of Lily), Thangpham Ama of Leimayol Arts Centre ( 2nd Best Music for Th Gyanendra and Saratchandra), Iteima Thiba of Ougree Theatre Repertory (Best Discipline theatre group) and Prajashing Khudol Shannao Thamoi of Society Theatre (Best Comedian for Th Shyamo Singh).

A special show of the Best Play prize winning Nungougi Thengthakhol was performed to mark the end of the valedictory fucntion.

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