IMPHAL, May 19: A one-day seminar on the impact of the traditional clown in Shumang Leela, organised by Repertory for performing arts of Manipur, under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture (CFG), Government of India, New Delhi was held today at Manipur Press Club.
Wareppa Naba, President of Theatre Centre, Manipur inaugurated the seminar as the chief guest while F A C E chairman L. Iboyaima Singh attended the function as the president.
Speaking at the function, Wareppa Naba said that Sumang Leela is one of the unique and rare art forms in the country.
He added that the artists or the leader of Sumang Leela should have resistance oriented quality in order to protect and preserve the traditions, customs, cultures and the spirit of Shumang Leela for the future generation to follow in their footsteps too.
This art form can give a new culture to the people i.e the unity among all the communities, he said.
L. Iboyaima singh said during the function that Shumang Leela falls under the genre of Sahitya, it reflects the society and can be an agent of change.
He described the character of a clown who can be humorous as one can get with the ability to make people laugh forgetting their stress, depression, anxieties and many others, adding that a clown is a panacea for the restive mind and a society needs such clowns.
He also appealed all the writers, directors and producers to hunt for people best suited for playing characters to preserve the tradition of Shumang Leela.
