What connects Tokyo Silver medalist @mirabai_chanu with the traditional art form of #ShumangLeela ? How are the two connected to a streaming app fronted by some young bright professionals @bookTouX? Here's the thread that links all three 👇
@mirabai_chanu's Silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics led to widespread celebrations but far from the media glare, it gave hope to a traditional art form reeling in a post Covid world, the #ShumangLeela artistes of Manipur #MeiIklabaThamoiStreamingOnBookTouX #MirabaiChanu @bookTouX
The Tokyo win galvanised #ShumangLeela artistes facing untold sufferings when Covid lockdowns brought an end to their performances. Artistes sold vegetables or worked as sales staff in small shops. But they saw hope in @mirabai_chanu's story #MeiIklabaThamoiStreamingOnBookTouX
#ShumangLeela because they are traditionally performed in the courtyard of homes. Performed right in the middle of an audience surrounding artistes in a 360 degree seating except for a small opening for artistes to make their entry, Covid sounded a death knell for artistes
There are 18 all women and 14 all men #ShumangLeela parties affiliated to the Manipur State Shumang Leela Council. The former are into historical and mythological plays thus performing for select occasions while the latter are into contemporary plays (and more popular)
@mirabai_chanu's Tokyo win led to an unprecedented in #ShumangLeela history in Manipur. Male artistes across different Leela troupes came together for #MeiIklabaThamoi (Heart glazed by Fire) #MeiIklabaThamoiStreamingOnBookTouX #MirabaiChanu
Unprecedented because #ShumangLeela parties are very competitive. Each group has their set of fans and loyalists. Rivalries and poaching led to a transfer policy of artistes being allowed to change/switch groups after a 3 yr contract #MeiIklabaThamoiStreamingOnBookTouX
A Committee was tasked with the duty of reaching out to @mirabai_chanu's family for their permission and inputs. The family graciously agreed and the creative process started with the help of the family at every stage #MeiIklabaThamoiStreamingOnBookTouX
#MeiIklabaThamoi performed by artistes across different troupes means there cannot be more shows than the premier. When @bookTouX approached the team and discussed ideas for a collaboration, it meant examining if the old and new could come together.
What if the #ShumangLeela #MeiIklabaThamoi (Heart Glazed by Fire) is streamed for online viewing? What if English subtitles are made available for people to watch? #MeiIklabaThamoiStreamingOnBookTouX @mirabai_chanu @bookTouX
The artists loved the idea! Their response was 'We cannot exist without an audience. If we are reaching out via streaming to people maybe that will work out for all of us. They see us perform and we know we are performing for them'. #SaikhomMirabaiChanu #ShumangLeela
@bookTouX
@bookTouX
#MeiIklabaThamoi is directed by Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Sougrakpam Hemanta who is also known across #ShumangLeela and Manipuri film circles for his comic timings as an actor. Ranjit Ningthouja is the script writer #MeiIklabaThamoiStreamingOnBookTouX
So please, yes! Head to the app from the link in the bio of @bookTouX and watch for a nominal charge of Rs99. Support #ShumangLeela #MeiIklabaThamoiStreamingOnBookTouX @mirabai_chanu @bookTouX
This is Sorokhaibam Robindro as as the champion's mother, Saikhom Tombi and Thongram Hiramoti as
@mirabai_chanu In case you did NOT know, BOTH characters are played by men! Yes! đź“· Credit @bookTouX
@mirabai_chanu In case you did NOT know, BOTH characters are played by men! Yes! đź“· Credit @bookTouX
The mike hanging down between the two actors? There isn't enough money for investing in clip on mikes and what have you but #ShumangLeela artistes are phenomenal. They perform before hundreds seated around them, each getting Rs 1,200 to 1,800 per show. Yes, you read it right!
Organizing a #ShumangLeela sets you back by 40-45 thousand bucks. Wondering why the cost is high and artistes get such low pay? The overall amount is spent on hiring amounts for vehicle, sound set up, costumes besides investing for musical instruments.
By paying just Rs 99 on the @bookTouX app, you are playing a valuable role of an audience that our phenomenal #ShumangLeela artistes so deserve. Please watch, give your feedback and the team will be happy to relay it to the artistes. RT for good karma
The #ShumangLeela art form exists because of the passion and dedication of artistes and the audience who love them in Manipur. In a pre Covid world, they take in bookings to perform across venues, performing 4 shows a day #MeiIklabaThamoiStreamingOnBookTouX
They dont get bookings around the year but work on 1 play for a single year. #ShumangLeela are popularly held during October to April, a period when most Meitei festivities are in order. With a streaming partner like @bookTouX they are looking at a new platform to reach audiences
So get out your bank/card details and go head to the @bookTouX app. You are guaranteed some inspiring moments, lots of tears and laughter. There are a lot of background stories you will get to see about the person that is @mirabai_chanu
#MeiIklabaThamoiStreamingOnBookTouX
#MeiIklabaThamoiStreamingOnBookTouX
The different looks of Thongram Heramoti: In a ultra glamourous look, as @mirabai_chanu and sans the make up and the gloss #ShumangLeela
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