“I feel I have been honoured by Irawat himself”

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 27

“I am so happy receiving the award today. I feel I have been honoured by Jananeta Hijam Irawat himself, an icon who I have deep admiration. There has been no other leader like him”, said theatre personality Lamabam Gojendro.   

He was speaking during the award ceremony jointly organised by Progressive Writer’s Association, Manipur, Indian People’s Theatre Association, Manipur and Manipur Jagoi Marup on the occasion of Jananeta Irawat Literary and Cultural Day, which is part of the 121st birth anniversary of Irawat at the Jubilee hall of Maniour Jagoi Marup, Lamboikhongnangkhong here today.

Gojendro, theatre critic and director, was today honoured with the Irawat Theatre Award by the Irawat Celebration Committee for his contribution to theatre. Speaking to the Imphal Free Press on the sidelines of the programme, L. Gojendro said the legendary leader was a multifaceted personality.

“I consider myself unworthy of getting such award. But to get an award in Irawat’s name is something I will treasure for the whole of my life”, he said, adding we will find his works in literature, theatre, sports, social reformation and what not.

Further L. Gojendro continued, “It is worth recalling that Irawat had designed the emblem of the Manipur Dramatic Union. He acted in some of the plays of MDU and believed that theatre is also an important vehicle for social transformation”.

Recounting and anecdote, L. Gojendro said the then king Churachand, who was among the audience, went up to the stage to hand over a sum of Rs. 200 to Irawat. “This was during a particular scene of the play ‘Areppa Marup’, in which Irawat was playing the role of Chandra Singh. The character Chandra Singh was in need of Rs. 200 and uttering his helplessness”, he said.

Former minister, M. Nara, who is also the president of IPTA, Manipur speaking as a presidium member of the function informed that the popular song ‘Thangol adu maya thangu thouna’ was written by Irawat himself. “He even translated the song into Bengali while he was in jail”, added Nara.

He was clarifying on the claim made by certain sections of scholars that the song was written by Hemango Biswas, a CPI leader, who was also a jail mate of Irawat in Sylhet, Bangladesh.   “The doubt was clarified by daughter of late Hemango Biswas in an Assamese newspaper last year”, Nara maintained.

In the function, Yungkham Chandrakala Devi for her contribution in music, Ayekpam Inakhunba in Shumang Leela, Thiyam Bilasini Devi in dance, Chanambam Shyama Devi in Nat Sankirtan, Hanjabam Nandakeshore Sharma in traditional theatre (Gourleela) and L. Gojendro in theatre were honoured with Irawat Award, respectively.

Thoungamba and Thouyangba Producer of Manipuri feature film, ‘Nangna Kappa Pakchade’, main casts Sorojini, Tonthoi and Danny were also honoured.

The function was attended by Prof T. Tombi Singh, as the chief guest, M. Nara, L. Rameshchandra Singh, president of PWA, L. Iboyaima, advisor PWA and Ng. Amumacha Singh as presidium members besides writers, scholars and artists among others.