Shumang Lila: Growth, Development and Reflection of the Society in its Present Form

Abstract

Shumang Lila (Courtyard play) is a very popular mode of entertainment for all sections of the Manipuri society. It is a Manipuri theatrical art form considered to have developed in the 19th and 20th century. It is believed to have originated from the ancestral worship ritual known as Lai Haraoba or pleasing the gods. The performances in this ritual earned the benefaction of the royals. It was Chandrakirti Maharaja’s time (1850-1886) that started as Phagi Lila (a form of farce) preceding the Shumang Lila. Then there was the Eshei Lila accompanied by singing and music in the background and Phampak Lila (a stage drama) which is somewhat similar to the western theatrical model. The first theatre house came into being in the early part of the twentieth century with the name Friends Dramatic Union. Many such groups came to be established and they trailed in new contemporary issues, and ideas, spreading awareness to the masses. The paper deals with the origin, growth, development and reflection of society with some of its core problems. The paper also discusses how this art form broke the domination of being accessible only to the upper caste, the elite of the society and began taking up the role of community development media taking the role of entertaining, enlightening, instructing, moralizing, critiquing and sensitizing the public on various issues relevant to the society within the cultural context and space of the Manipuris. It is a medium to spread social awareness to people through its meaningful theme and enactments which portray the sociopolitico- economic issues of the people not only in Manipur but also globally. Another aspect of Shumang Lila in its present form is the popularity of its ‘Nupi Shabis’ who actually are male actors performing female roles. This art form provides a platform and community for them. Even with the influx of mass media, and social media platforms, Shumang Lila has proved its validity to sensitize people’s thinking to promote change and propagate ideas