Green World

Though Arunachal Pradesh,Nagaland and Tripura are missing from the line-up of states,there are productions like Gourlila,which uses a traditional opera form that has almost died in Manipur. “The form is being revived after 30 years of total absence,” says Anup Barua of NSD. Gourlila,to be staged on September 15,revolves around Gouranga Mahaprabhu,who is worshipped in Manipur as a reincarnation of Vishnu. It is heavy on dance,music and colourful costumes.

“Moirang Parva is the only secular traditional theater of Manipur and it is on the verge of extinction. Our production has been undertaken with the objective of reviving it,” says director Loitongbam Dorendra. The play will be staged on Monday and is performed only by women who also enact male roles. It revolves around an orphaned boy who lives in Moirang,where the meek King is a puppet in the hands of his corrupt younger brother. A beautiful princess,a witty minister and a murder plan lift the action.

Among the other plays is To’Paidom (meaning “a bird named Paidom”),based on a parable popular among the Rabha community of Assam. The storyline,packed with evil spirits,a wise mother,wicked brothers and a dutiful son,tackles issues like “how changing political environment,erosion of human values and globalisation have threatened the sociocultural identities between different ethnic groups,” says director Sukracharjya Rabha. The festival ends with another Assamese play called Sita Haran Bali Badh,on an episode from the Ramayana.

The festival is being held at Sri Ram Centre till September 16. Entry: Free. Contact: 23073236