June – September 1997. Editor: Anjum Katyal
Manipur today is struggling. With itself, and with the Indian polity. The relationship with the dominant state, India, is wounded, suspicious. How should a conscious, self-critical, thinking theatre person react to it? ('Experimental Theatre in Manipur') This question runs like a swollen vein through all theatre activity in Manipur today. And Manipur is intensely theatre active. It was impossible to cover the entire spectrum in this special issue;inevitably, certain personalities, aspects and features await their due attention. The central focus of this issue is the experimental theatre that, in the early 70s emerged as a strong presence, emphasizing the exploration of traditional forms, reshaping techniques, themes and training methodologies, often incorporating thang-ta (the martial arts form of Manipur), and folk and classical dance.
CONTENTS EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE Experimental Theatre in Manipur: At a critical juncture Lokendra Arambam A Critic's Eye View An Interview with E. Nilakanta Singh An Artist's Response To Contemporary Reality: A case of two directors Soyam Lokendrajit Working for Change Lokendra Arambam Macbeth - Stage of Blood: A Viewer's Response Sarah Addezio 'Theatre is only a link between Heritage and Community' H. Kanhailal 'My acting is almost entirely my life' Sabitri Devi 'The audience is inside me' Ratan Thiyam The New Karnas of Manipur Samik Bandyopadhyay Theatre Education in Manipur Harokcham 'Sanakhya' Ebotombi Targeting the mind, not the emotions Nongthombam Premchand 'I am only the catalyst' Loitongbam Dorendra 'Still searching'- A Panel Discussion with the Directors of the Nineties 'The actresses speak: A group discussion COURTYARD THEATRE Sumang Leela(The courtyard play): An Introduction Arambam Somorendra Thok Leela: Satire, Wit and Comedy Y. Sadananda Singh 'The real power of Sumang Leela lies in its audience' Birjit Ngangomba Writing for Sumang Leela Nandakumar Moirangthem Playing Sumang Leela : The actor speaks PROSCENIUM THEATRE Manipur Playwrights: An Overview Arambam Somorendra G.C. Tongbra: A Tribute Dr N. Tombi Singh Treading The Boards: Actresses of the Proscenium Stage A Directory Of Theatre Groups In Manipur Download the complete issue here