A scene from Khudop. A Telegraph picture

Women are the main focus of two plays enacted at the L. Bhagyachandra Memorial Drama Festival, 2010 organised by Theatre Mirror from June 3 to 10 at Manipur Dramatic Union, Imphal.

Kshetri Sanajaoba’s Mang Machet Itihas Machete (Half Dream Half History) was directed by Ningthouja Deepak and staged by NT Theatre. The other play, Khudop (The Ring) by Cosmopolitan Dramatic Union was directed by Nadakumar Moirangthem.

Mang Machet Itihas Machete, a play based on historical events during the early part of Manipuri history, highlights the clash between the rich and the poor and to some extent discrimination against women.

The story dates back to the time when Manipur and its neighbour Myanmar (Ava) were frequently locked in battles and King Gambhir Singh and Narasingh struggled to liberate Manipur (then ruled by Ava) for seven years.

During Narasingh’s reign, a royal administrative officer named Pranam wants Thambalnu, a beautiful girl from a poor family in Yairipok village of Thoubal district. Thambalnu spurns Pranam, but falls in love with Mohon, a village youth.

When incessant rain makes rivers overflow in the Leishangthem Hidel area, the jealous royal officer bribes and conspires with a maibi (priestess) to make a false oracle and kills Tambalnu by throwing her into the water to appease the water god.

The other play, Khudop, unveils the true nature of a male-dominated society. The power of the ring is that once it is touched by a person, he/she will speak only the truth. Raichandra, a rich man, who gets the ring from a hermit, tries to verify his wife Tanu’s loyalty. She, however, loves Kanta and reveals her dislike for Raichandra. The comedy entertained the audience. All the actors performed well.