Mail News Service
Imphal, July 27: Banian Repertory Theatres’ ‘Kumudini” written by Prof. M.C. Arun of Manipur University and Directed by M.C. Thoiba has been selected for the 7th Abhinaya National Theatre Festival 2012 to be held from August (16-19), 2012 at Ravindra Bharati, Hyderabad under the sponsorship of NEZCC, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India – Dimapur and from August (21-23), 2012 at Mahathi Auditorium, Tirupati, the holy place of Lord Venkateswora under the Sponsorship of Abhinaya Theatre Trust, Hyderabad.
‘Kumudini’ produced in 2007 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 contemporary Manipuri woman.
The play explores the collective and individual womanhood, her desperation and dreams, woman’s space in kinship and political position, power and her patriarchal cultural order in Manipuri society.
Synopsis of the play
Like in other patriarchal societies, the story of Manipuri women is also of submission, non-assertion and a social status relative to man. One will also find stories of Manipuri women as mercy-seekers or champions of affirmative action in collectivity. But, we seldom hear stories of individual Manipuri women in the socio-political sphere as voluntary actors.
Maharani Kumudini is the wife of Maharaja Gambhir Singh, who liberated Manipur from Burmese occupation during the Chahi Taret Khuntakpa (The Seven Years Devastation). Maharaja Gambhir Singh died, when his eldest son Chandrakirti was only two. Kumudini found herself in the middle of palace intrigues and attempts by Gambhir Singh’s brothers and relatives to wrest the throne. She ultimately succeeded in installing her son to the throne, but it was no mean feat for a woman.
Much has been discussed about Manipuri woman. Some have put them on a pedestal. Others say, women are exploited in our society. It is a confusing scenario. The play revolves round a contemporary radical who seeks answers on different facets of contemporary Manipuri woman and her position in the socio-political sphere, in the backdrop of the life and times of Maharani Kumudini.
The play explores the collective and individual womanhood, her desperation and dreams, woman’s space in kinship and political position, power and the patriarchal cultural order in Manipuri society.
Director’s Note:
In the play, the life and times of Maharani Kumudini unfolds through debate between Jailor, Binoy and Asha. The debate is a quest for understanding the contemporary Manipuri woman.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/banian-repertorys-kumudini-to-take-part-in-national-theatre-festival/
