A scene from the play, Asang eina Aton

Asang eina Aton (Love story of Asang and Aton), the play, has scored a first on many fronts.

One, it is the first drama script in Tangkhul language; two, the young actors were recruited by director S. Thaninleima, an NSD graduate, from a small village in Ukhrul village; and three, it is the first time that members of the Tangkhul community performed an entire play in their own dialect and costumes.

Manipuri theatre is usually populated by the dominant Meitei community.

The play brings to life a Tangkhul folk legend of lost love. The story goes like this: Asang and Aton are a young couple in love. But Asang’s wealthy father is opposed to his son’s relationship with Aton as she is the daughter of a poor widow. Aton is shocked but they separate.

The play ends in tragedy.

Thaninleima and assistant director Ashing Zimik have taken this seemingly clichéd love story and added to it their own magic to turn it into a heart-rendering tale. The duo try their best to depict Tangkhul culture and customs through this play and thereby preserve the folklore flavour in the rendition.

Though quite young, Ng. Plassy, who plays Aton and A.S. Mahaingam, who plays Asang, bring their characters to life.

Rwebin Mangsaba, the guru of Tangkhul traditional folk music, adds to the pathos with fluid haunting melodies.

Set designers Oken and Sunil, however, slip up a little as their sets fail to distinguish between the houses of the rich and the poor.

Costume designers, especially ornament designers Ng. Yaimila, Ng. Sorinmi and Sorinchon Zimik do their best to reproduce the traditional.

The play was jointly produced by Khenjonglang Imphal and Zingko Arts Film Centre Ukhrul.