V Uto Chishi, Coordinator of the Dimapur leg of the Bharat Rang Mahotsav— India’s annual international theatre festival, at the Town Hall, Dimapur on February 3. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 3
Dimapur is currently hosting a segment of the nation-wide theatre festival— the 25th Silver Jubilee edition of the Bharat Rang Mahotsav. The Dimapur leg of the festival began at the Town Hall on February 3 and concludes on February 4. Organized by the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, the event runs nationwide from January 27 to February 20, covering more than 40 cities with 186 plays.
The two-day Dimapur schedule features productions from Nagaland. The itinerary includes a Sumi folktale about the discovery of the ‘Axone/Akhuni’ adapted for the stage by NSD alumnus V Uto Chishi as ‘The Tragedy of Lunch Box,’ and ‘Sungrah,’ a production based on an Ao folktale.
Chishi, a 2012 NSD graduate, said that the production involves a 21-member cast and crew comprising youths from Nihoto village, Niuland district.
“This is going to be their second performance,” said Chishi, who is the festival coordinator in Dimapur. “But as I said, they are completely fresh and new. So just trying to mold them up, shape them up.”
The dignitaries on the opening evening included the Principal of Unity College of Teacher Education and Kasheto Kiba, Founding President of Pheto Music.
Chishi called upon schools, colleges, and community institutions to support theatre, stating that the discipline provides skills beyond entertainment.
“Theatre is not only about performing on the stage... but it teaches us a life lesson, a life skill,” Chishi said. He added that the art form instills communication skills and teamwork, urging the commnuity to engage with workshops to understand these aspects.
According to Chishi, the annual festival has gone international. “Now that plays are invited from outside too, it has become international,” Chishi said.
