A scene from the play Numit-Kappa, which was staged by Manipur Theatre Academy in Imphal last week. Picture by Eastern Projections

Imphal, July 13: From the proscenium to the silver screen, Manipuri theatre director Sarungbam Beeren?s message on stage is being preserved for posterity on celluloid.

The New Delhi-based National Institute of Performing Arts (NIPA) has recorded Beeren?s play Numit Kappa (Shooting the Sun) in film format for preserving its novel approach in portraying the conflict between the state and insurgents.

Based on Nabakumar Singh?s short story Eewaipham, the storyline depicts how the tussle between militant outfits and the government affects the people.

The play chronicles the appearance of two ?suns? on Manipur?s firmament ? one symbolising the elected government and the other the militant groups active in the state ? and the eventual mass uprising which leads to the demise of one of them.

The initiative was taken by NIPA chairman Devanand Mishra, who has also decided to dub the ?film? in all the scheduled languages of the country. The idea was initially mooted by Justice (retd) Ranganath Mishra, former Chief Justice of India, who had seen the play once.

?I will not disclose which king is killed. If I ?kill? the government, my play will be banned. On the other hand, if I kill off the armed groups, I would be targeted. Draw your own conclusions. But one of the two kings must be killed, though I am not a kingmaker,? the director smiled.

Numit Kappa was first staged four years ago, but is still a crowd-puller.

It got a standing ovation when staged at Imphal?s Rupmahal Theatre last week as part of the third festival of plays of creative directors organised by the Theatre Centre, Manipur.

?My play was recorded during last season?s Manipuri theatre festival, organised by NIPA in New Delhi. I have already provided the play?s English translation to the chairman. I am told that the dubbing process is nearly complete. Once the process is completed, it would be distributed to the other states,? Beeren explained.

Justice Mishra, who is associated with NIPA, was ?impressed? by the form and content of the play. Beeren has been invited once again to the Manipuri Theatre Festival being held in New Delhi next month. Only three Manipuri plays will be staged at the festival.

?I am happy that NIPA took the initiative. My efforts are aimed at highlighting the problems being faced in Manipur. If people in other states could see the problems we face here through my work, I think my efforts would have borne fruit,? he said.

Skilful use of Manipuri traditional martial art and dance forms and rituals of lai haraoba (a traditional festival propitiating the gods), coupled with powerful narration on the present chaotic situation in the state, kept the audience spellbound throughout the 75 minutes of the play.