MALEMNGANBI

admin Manipuri May 14, 2025 Comments Closed

Director: Chanam Nillabira Meitei
Playwright: Makhonmani Mongsaba
Group: Peace Maker Artistes Association, Manipur
Language: Meitei/ Manipur
Duration: 1 hr 45 mins

The Play

The play Malemnganbi is an adaptation of Sophocles’ play Antigone. The country is in chaos as tyrannical divide and rule of king Athouhenba has destabilised the country. Two brave brothers were instigated into killing each other over espousing two differing political ideologies. The younger, Loyahanba is given a proper burial, but the king Athouhenba, has issued a royal dictat denying a burial to Yoirenhanba, who he believes to has been a traitor. Malemnganbi defies the law and is caught after performing her brother’s burial. The elders and scholars make an epochal revelation that total ruin will follow suit hence the king determines to punish Malemnganbi with death. She takes her life in the prison, itself. But in the end the king’s son, Lirikhonba loses his life too.

Director’s Note

The play Malemnganbi is enacted in the Sumang Leela style of Manipur. With minimum backdrops and props used, the actors amplify metaphors, to incite the creative streak in viewers to imagine situations in time and space. The costume-design patterns pertain to the prevailing style and culture of the epoch. Much effort has gone to create the play in traditional Sumang Leela, with some slight, strokes of operatic maneuvers.

The Director

Chanam Nillabira Meitei (born in 1941) is a noted veteran actor, director of Manipuri Shumang Leela and Manipuri films. He began performing as a stage actor from an early age (1969-1972). In 1973 he joined Manipuri Shumang Leela and learned this art form under the Guru Chongtham Ningthemjao, performed the dance form in festivals. In 1981, he won best actor for the play Manja, in 1982, for best director for the play Sandhyagi Leichin. He has performed hundred or so different plays and directed over fifteen.

He began his film career in 1972 with major roles in Manipuri feature films like Ngak-ee-ko and Khamba-Thoibi; performed as actor in television-serial Laman and short films like Shatra, Naoshum and others.

The Playwright

Makhonmani Mongsaba began his career as a short story writer ever since his early days. He has a PhD degree in Manipuri literature and has carved a niche as a prominent creative writer, essayist, screenplay writer, playwright, lyricist, editor and columnist. Besides he has worked as an actor and director in both stage and film under the guidance of Ojah RatanThiyam, a doyen of theatre. Has participated in Indian and international theatre festivals as a theatre actor. He started his film career in 1980s receiving three National Film Awards, State film awards as producer, director for the film Chatledo Eidee and published a book on Manipuri cinema. Also recipient of Sahitya Akademi and Manipur State Kala Akademi awards in literature for his travelogue ‘Chiglon Amadagi Amada’. He is member of Manipuri Films Society, editor of Apunba Manipur Matam Eshei and is also Assistant Prof. at Manipur University.

The Group

Peace Maker Artistes’ Association, Manipur was established on 5^thAugust 2002 in Imphal. This is an autonomous body and a leading Shumang Leela group of Manipur. It has participated in various State, National and International festivals and has won many awards. The group has produced more than 40 plays. Some major ones are- Kunti, Restafen, Nupigi Thamoi and Enamma among others.

Cast & Credits

Athouhenba Hodam Lalitkumar Singh

A blind village elder Sorokhaibam Ibohanbi Singh

Lirikhomba Yumnam Arunkumar Singh

Angamba, diviner Athokpam Santosh Singh

Yoirenhanba, diviner Moirangthem Sunilkumar

Loyahanba, Tondang Toijam Rageetkumar Singh

Diviner Naorem Tamphasana Meetei

Soldier Gurumayum Rajesh Sharma, Leiphrakpam Surchand Singh, Thouam Premjit Singh, Thoudam Premananda Singh

Malemnganbi Senjam Deepson

Innung Nganbi Waribam Dolmani Singh

Thoinulembi Yumnam Milan Singh