Lairembigee Eshei

Lairembigee Eshei
English: Song of the Nymphs
Lairembigee Eshei ; English: Song of the Nymphs
	The final scene of the play, showing the seven nymphs climbing on the seven steps, each having a white umbrella held over their heads, signifying that peace leaves an indestructible and unforgettable impression
Written by	Ratan Thiyam
Based on	Hellois of Meitei mythology and folklore
Chorus	Meitei
Characters	Chingaleima Takhengbi; Lanjinleima Piyainu; Hayenkhombi; Shaleima; Uleima; Heibongkhombi; Shananu; Ningthou; Wangban Shaphaba; Meitreng Araba; Thengraiba; Chengheiba;
Original language	Meitei (officially called Manipuri)
Subject	Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei folklore (Manipuri folklore)
Genre	mythological fiction

Lairembigee Eshei (Meitei: /lāi.rem.bi.gi í.səi/, lit. Song of the Goddess^[a]), also known as Song of the Nymphs, is a Meitei language play, written and directed by Ratan Thiyam, performed by the "Chorus Repertoire Theatre" of Imphal.^[3] It was shown as a closing play at the 21st Bharat Rang Mahotsav at Kamani Hall in Delhi.^[4]^[5]^[6] It was staged on the concluding day of the 9th National Prayas Natya Mela.^[7] It was also staged as the concluding event of the three-day State conference on theatre organised by the Network of Artistic Theatre Activists Kerala (NATAK) in Kochi, Kerala.^[8]^[9]

The play shows the lifestyle of mankind in the 21st century, when globalisation, worldwide mobility, communication and information are at the peak. It also shows the significance of identity, tradition, and preservation of culture even in modern eras. It attempts to remind the audiences about the challenges faced by ancestral rituals and traditions in the society.^[5]

Plot

Seven nymphs have been flying around the world to see the changes in nature, environment and human society. The peace of sky, earth, water, trees, men make the nymphs fly towards the era of the 22nd century. The seven nymphs, in purely white dresses, having white lighting, slowly carry large dishes and dance gently, in accordance to the tinkling melodies. The nymphs wave their scarves and made illusions of flying across the sky. When they find out a king who is wailing after destroying nature by himself, they get to know about the importance of the protection of nature. The nymphs are shown in as entering into the underwater world, by covering their faces. At a time, some bird catchers attempt to capture the nymphs, by using their nets. However, they can't succeed and they are laughed at by the nymphs. The nymphs move around gigantic stalks of lotus, lotus leaves and lotus buds, representing the destruction of nature by human beings in metaphorical way. In the final scene, the seven nymphs climb on the seven steps. Each nymph has a white umbrella held over their heads. The umbrellas represent peace leaves an indestructible and unforgettable impression.^[4]

Cast and credits

Indira as Chingaleima Takhengbi
Russia as Lanjinleima Piyainu
Taruni as Hayenkhombi
Anjelina as Shaleima
Shandhyarani as Uleima
Jaya as Heibongkhombi
Rojita as Shananu
P. Somo as Ningthou
Ibomcha Sorok as Wangban Shaphaba
Robindro as Meitreng Araba
Nongdamba as Thengraiba
Lokendra as Chengheiba
Anish / Inaoba as Manai-I
Ajitkumar as Manai-II
Nongdamba as Shadanba-I
Ajitkumar as Shadanba-II
Lokendra as Shadanba-III
Robindro as Shadanba-VI
Stage Management by Robindro
Set & Props by Nongdamba, Ajitkumar, Anish/ Inaoba
Costume by Somo, Somorjit, Tarubi, Russia, Rojita, Shandhyarani, Indira
Music Assistance by L. Tomba, Basanta, Somorjit
Light Assistance by Thawai Thiyam, Angoutombi, Ibomcha Sorok
Consultance by N. Amusana Devi, W. Keinatombi Leima
Production Management by Ibomcha Sorok
Assistant Direction by Thawai Thiyam
Script, Music, Design & Direction by Ratan Thiyam^[7]^[3]

Reception

Padma Shri awardee Indian professor Sunil Kothari commented on the play and the director's performance as follows:^[4]

As a director he (Ratan Thiyam) negotiates important issues, complex aesthetics and philosophical challenges. As writer of the play, Ratan uses metaphors, elements of traditional dances, rituals, improvisations and creates what one would call sheer visual poetry. For him the local and indigenous myths and legends continue to be the most effective inspiration for both verbal and non-verbal vehicle of expression and interpretation. Even when the actors deliver dialogues in Meitei language, the angikabhinaya conveys the meaning of what they are saying. It helps the onlooker if he carefully reads the synopsis in advance, as Ratan does not believe in providing subtitles in English.^[4]

Notes

^ In Meitei language (officially called Manipuri), the word "Lairembi" means "goddess" and "Eshei" (or "Ishei") means "song". "-gi" is a suffix word to denote possession.^[1]^[2]

References

^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "Lairembi")". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "Isei")". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
^ ^a ^b "LAIREMBIGEE ESHEI (SONG OF THE NYMPHS) – 21st Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2020". Archived from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Song of the Nymphs directed by Ratan Thiyam - Footloose and fancy free with Dr.Sunil Kothari". narthaki.com. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Curtains come down on 21st Bharat Rang Mahotsav in Delhi - Times of India". The Times of India. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2022. The closing ceremony was followed by Laiembigee Ishei (Song Of The Nymphs), a Manipuri play by Chorus Repertory Theatre group, written and directed by Ratan Thiyam. It is a story of how we live in the 21st century -an era of globalisation, worldwide mobility, communication and information. It is woven around the importance of identity, tradition, and preservation of culture in modern times. The play tries to decipher the challenges faced by our rituals and traditions inherited from our ancestors.
^ "Bharat Rang Mahotsav takes its final bow". The New Indian Express. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2022. A Manipuri play, titled Laiembigee Ishei (Song of the Nymphs), directed by Ratan Thiyam was also performed at the event.
^ ^a ^b "पटना में मंचित हुआ पद्मश्री रतन थियाम निर्देशित "Song Of The Nymphs"". बोलो जिंदगी (in Hindi). Retrieved 1 November 2022.
^ Staff Reporter (15 December 2019). "Theatre productions declining, says thespian". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 November 2022. His play, Song of the Nymphs , was staged by the Imphal-based Chorus Repertory Company as the concluding event of the first such theatre conference in the State.
^ Anjana George (16 December 2019). "Theatre is an art of the people, by the people and for the people: NATAK | Kochi News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 November 2022. NATAK, while winding up its first conference, through thespian Ratan Thiyam's play Song of the Nymphs, is hopeful about the future.

External links

"Lairembigee Eshei | 4th National Theater Festival | Manipuri Play | 6:30pm | Rabindra Sadan | Chorus Repertory Theatre". 11 January 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
"Ratan Thiyam's Chorus Repertory Theatre Returns to the U.S. for Five-City Tour This Fall". Asia Society. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
"How Ratan Thiyam brought Manipur onto the global stage". The Indian Express. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2022.

[3] In Meitei language (officially called Manipuri), the word "Lairembi" means "goddess" and "Eshei" (or "Ishei") means "song". "-gi" is a suffix word to denote possession.^[1]^[2]

[1] Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "Lairembi")". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia. Retrieved 1 November 2022.

[2] Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "Isei")". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Digital Dictionaries of South Asia. Retrieved 1 November 2022.

[:1-4] "LAIREMBIGEE ESHEI (SONG OF THE NYMPHS) – 21st Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2020". Archived from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.

[:0-5] "Song of the Nymphs directed by Ratan Thiyam - Footloose and fancy free with Dr.Sunil Kothari". narthaki.com. Retrieved 1 November 2022.

[:3-6] "Curtains come down on 21st Bharat Rang Mahotsav in Delhi - Times of India". The Times of India. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2022. The closing ceremony was followed by Laiembigee Ishei (Song Of The Nymphs), a Manipuri play by Chorus Repertory Theatre group, written and directed by Ratan Thiyam. It is a story of how we live in the 21st century -an era of globalisation, worldwide mobility, communication and information. It is woven around the importance of identity, tradition, and preservation of culture in modern times. The play tries to decipher the challenges faced by our rituals and traditions inherited from our ancestors.

[7] "Bharat Rang Mahotsav takes its final bow". The New Indian Express. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2022. A Manipuri play, titled Laiembigee Ishei (Song of the Nymphs), directed by Ratan Thiyam was also performed at the event.

[:2-8] "पटना में मंचित हुआ पद्मश्री रतन थियाम निर्देशित "Song Of The Nymphs"". बोलो जिंदगी (in Hindi). Retrieved 1 November 2022.

[9] Staff Reporter (15 December 2019). "Theatre productions declining, says thespian". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 November 2022. His play, Song of the Nymphs , was staged by the Imphal-based Chorus Repertory Company as the concluding event of the first such theatre conference in the State.

[10] Anjana George (16 December 2019). "Theatre is an art of the people, by the people and for the people: NATAK | Kochi News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 November 2022. NATAK, while winding up its first conference, through thespian Ratan Thiyam's play Song of the Nymphs, is hopeful about the future.

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