NEW DELHI, October 30 (MIC): Peace Maker Artistes’ Association, Manipur will stage a Shumang Lila play – Nupigee Thamoi Scripted by Manaobi MM and directed by the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Yumnam Rajen on November 7 at 6pm at Meghdoot theatre, Copernicus Marg here, in the 6-day long Indian Performances from November 5 to 10, 2014 organised by the Prasiddha Foundation in collaboration with the Sangeet Natak Akademi. The event will be a part of the ongoing 8th Delhi International Arts Festival which commenced from October 28 and would last upto November 28.
The historical play narrates the love and separation of Prince Naothingkhong and Petanga. Naothingkhong was the third son of Emperor Urakonthouba of Manipur (568-663AD). Naothingkhong, a youth of stubbornly character ran away to a far hilly place while his father tried to control about his arrogance character and he found Petanga a beautiful charming girl at the foot hill who was only daughter of Shelloi village chief.
Naothingkhong married with Petanga under a strict promise that she would be queen of Manipur whenever Naothingkhong came to the throne. In the past time Shelloi was a bitter enemy of Urakhonthouba.
But the secret marriage of Naothingkhong and Petanga was noticed by the Shelloi villagers. So the Shelloi villagers revolted to kill of Naothingkhong. But Naothingkhong had a narrow escape through the hole of wall from that house of Petanga as he was a secret concubine of Petanga.
Naothingkhong took asylum under the patronage of Khuman Kwakpa, King of Khuman State. Naothingkhong got married with two girls namely Keirunghanbi and Leima Namul Khambi, daughter of Kwakpa and Shanarakhawa, King of Moirang State respectively in different situations and under political affairs.
Petanga got punishment by the Shelloi villagers about her immoral character. But she secretly escaped Shelloi village and ran away to a far place to save her own life. She was wandering through bushes in day and night for many months. She had neither support nor the chance of survival. She was alone and lamented with tears about the pang of separation from her beloved husband Naothingkhong.
On the other, Naothingkhong learnt the knowledge of political affairs along with other disciplines of education from Luwang Punshiba, who was a great scholar in various subjects. Information was noticed by Petanga that Naothingkhong was ready to ascend on the throne with Keirunghanbi. Naothingkhong ascended the throne with Keirunghanbi as a queen in 688AD.
Meanwhile Petanga entered inside the royal palace to meet the King Naothingkhong. The king pretended not to know her. Petanga submitted the past promise made by Naothingkhong. To reckon with the troublesome, Naothingkhong told her to be seated on his right side. On hearing this, she was tremble of shocking because she would be seated on the left side of her husband Naothingkhong. She did not accept to the proposal of Naothingkhong.
No sooner Petanga transcended to goddess of Yumjao Lairembi just before the eyes of King. Many Demy God and Goddess arrived for receiving of the Goddess. She pronounced to the king that man has no power to realise of true love and man cannot touch the eternity love of truth. Suddenly Petanga vanished from the eyes of king with lamented voice.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/shumang-lila-nupigee-thamoi-to-be-staged-at-delhi-intl-art-festival/