Imphal, Feb. 23: If there is a place where the term Saturday night fever ever applies, it is Rupmahal Theatre in the heart of Imphal. With the ban on Hindi films by militants fully in force, the theatre has introduced a regular Saturday performance which is drawing packed houses every weekend.
The Rupmahal group, which also runs the theatre, came into existence from the debris of World War II bombing in the state capital. It has the distinction of being the only theatre group in the state that has been staging plays regularly since its inception.
Rupmahal?s first production Ningamdama was shown at a makeshift stage on December 23 in 1943. Today, the group has 152 productions ? historical, mythological, realistic and socio-comedy ? under its belt.
The dedicated artistes of the group, numbering nearly 100, have not only been entertaining theatre lovers but also striving to keep Manipuri theatre alive.
Till now, Rupmahal has not failed to stage a show on a Saturday. Two shows are held on second Saturdays. ?Earlier, we staged three plays every week and produced one new play every month. Now, we have cut it down to one show every Saturday,? said the group?s secretary P. Ibohal Singh.
Thanks to theatre lovers, Rupmahal is able to maintain regularity. ?Public response is still good in Manipur. A few years ago, when the economy wasn?t so bad, our 550-seat auditorium used to be packed. The bad fiscal health has naturally affected box office collection. But despite that, the numbers are enough to keep us going,? Rupmahal?s spokesperson, H. Achouba Sharma, said.
He is not exaggerating. Tongbram Ram Singh, in his fifties, has been a regular to the shows for the past 15 years. ?I am a regular visitor to Rupmahal and haven?t missed any new production,? Ram Singh said after the afternoon show last Saturday. ?Its plays are instant hits.?
For instance, Ichasa Ipa Lamboiragee was staged more than 200 times. The artistes of the group are proud that its regular plays on Bir Tikendrajit, who was hanged by the British invaders, made the Manipur government observe Patriots Day every year on August 13. Rupmahal still stages a play on Bir Tikendrajit that day.
Another contributing factor of Rupmahal?s success is that the group has a steady income from other sources. The auditorium doubles up as a movie house, where English films are screened. The money collected finances drama productions.
Rupmahal theatre?s chairman Chandam Gopal Singh, however, is not happy with the current trend in Manipuri theatre. ?These days, artistes put money over everything else.?
To promote theatre, Rupmahal has instituted the Rs 5,000-Meitram Bira Singh award, in honour of one of its founder members. It also hosts Rupmahal artistes? memorial drama festival every year since 2000.
During its yearlong diamond jubilee celebration, which will conclude on December 23 this year, the group has been organising workshops, seminars and shows to inject fresh blood into Manipuri theatre.