It’s one thing to board a plane for fun or work, but it’s another to look for an air ticket just to access the internet. Filmmaker Longjam Meena Devi had a tight post-production schedule for her documentary, Andro Dreams (2023), about sixty-year-old Labi Devi, who leads a football team of girls in a remote Manipuri village, was released a week before the submission-deadline for the International Film Festival of Kerala. Within four days of the conflict breaking out in Manipur, private Wi-Fi was also shut down. Initially, Meena, Manipur’s first woman filmmaker to receive a National Award, tried to make do with DIPR (Directorate of Information and Public Relations) facilities, but the dwindling net-speed was not conducive to heavy uploads. Though Meena somehow managed, many others, including artistes, have suffered a lot due to lack of connectivity.
Filmmaker Longjam Meena Devi | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Narrating his story with a smile as is his habit at the Manipuri Nrityalaya, dancer-scholar Yumlembam Vidyanand Singh, a resident of Keshamthong, Imphal, said that he could not participate in the Youth Dance Festival in Kolkata only because he did not receive any mail. And later when the organisers called Vidyanand, he could not travel due to the exorbitant airfare.
Vidyananda trained for a time under Guru Bimbavati Devi, daughter of the renowned Kalavati Devi, who co-founded Nartanalaya with Guru Bipin Singh and the Jhaveri sisters.
Bidyananda, an assistant professor at Manipur International University, said, “I had to miss at least five shows. But the one I missed the most was the 2023 Sangai Kumhei festival, organised by the Manipur Tourism Department from November 21 to 30 every year. This festival is not only emotionally close to our hearts where we showcase our culture to the fullest, but we also get a chance to exchange ideas with international visiting practitioners, mainly from Thailand and Myanmar, to strengthen our understanding and development.”
Contemporary dancer and choreographer Surajit Nongmeikapam in his studio. | Photo Credit: Courtesy: Surajit Nongmeikapam
Same has been the case for acclaimed contemporary choreographer-dancer Surjit Nongmekpam (Bonbon). Speaking from the studio of Nachom Arts Foundation in Imphal, Surjit said he also had to stop staging his pet project ‘Soul Strings’ which aims to connect all Manipuri communities together. After shows in Churachandpur and Phayeng close to Kuki Valley, the next show was planned to be held at Thado-Kuki village Hapi,” says Surjit.
Though there are no blanket restrictions, locals, contrary to common sense, are in no mood to entertain. Bidyananda, who was on the organising committee of the Vikashishya Bharat series presented by Guru Sanatana Apunba Hari Sankirtan Neenashang, the institute of his teacher Thounaojam Haridas, on February 21 this year, said, “I can’t even describe how it felt to perform this programme. We had deliberately booked a small auditorium near the institute as we wanted fewer people to attend. We also avoided the presence of commercial sound systems and professional videographers. Nowadays, we perform shows only during the day as it becomes risky after dark.”
The fear factor
Artists and art practices are seen as indifferent to the situation. Rumours of organisers and artistes being attacked, which initially came from Keshamthong in Imphal East, have now turned out to be fear-psychosis. Akhu Chingangbam, singer-songwriter and founder of alternative folk-rock group Imphal Talkies, was abducted from his Khurai residence and released the same day, which was widely reported.
Imphal Talkies singer-songwriter Akhu Chingangbam kidnapped | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Despite the grave risks, practitioners have to brave it for a living. Without performance, learning and practising becomes meaningless. “As a teacher, I earlier used to conduct classes for students of Manipur University (central) and Manipur University of Culture (state) in my courtyard, but since the place is visible from the road, I decided to move indoors for the safety of the students and my family,” said Bidyananda.
Surjeet, in contrast, is rethinking his approach to art during these difficult times, noting his desire to “create a movement culture”. “I am planning to hold classes in the open so that people can either watch or join in. The aim is to soothe the mind and soul.”
Bidyanand is lucky to have found a job; though he is yet to receive his last month’s salary. Some of his colleagues have taken up odd jobs. Surjeet, who lives off the grant, has an income mainly from renting out his mini-truck bought to carry equipment, while his recently inaugurated multi-disciplinary Yumpham Arts Space has been converted into a temporary boarding school for students from the burnt-down Moreh school, where his uncle was a teacher.
Practice Incomplete
Popular Shumang Leela artist Sagolsem Sana | Photo Credit: Sana’s Facebook page
Then there are the Shumang Lila (Meitei courtyard theatre) artistes, who have also borne the brunt of the violence. This traditional theatre is popular for its ‘nupi shabis’ – male actors playing female roles. With no stage to perform, these artistes have started doing construction work or driving taxis and autorickshaws for a living. Some rare artistes like Sagolsem Sana are trying to earn through live online performances. “Through the digital medium, we appeal to people to donate to help us make both ends meet.” Sana, who lives in Imphal’s Paunabazar, used to do 100 shows a month, about three to four shows a day, toiling from seven in the morning till about 4 the next morning, earning about Rs 1,200 per show, but the ongoing conflict has severely affected him.
Chennai-bound
Manipuri dance duo Sinam Basu Singh and Monika | Photo Credit: Courtesy: Sinam Basu Singh
Sinam Basu Singh and his wife Monika are very happy to travel to Chennai to perform at the Smriti Mahotsav at Kalakshetra on August 3. The young Manipuri dance duo sees it as a ray of hope. “We were longing to wear costumes and do make-up. We want to bring tourists back to the culturally rich state. Apart from many folk and classical art forms, Manipur is home to over 200 temples. It is depressing to see life come to a standstill. This is only our third performance since violence broke out last May. And before every dance performance, I have made it a point to talk about the importance of peace and harmony,” said Sinam.
