IMPHAL, March 25: Kalakshetra’s “Draupadi” will be presented again after a gap of 14 years during the observance of International Encounter: Theatre of the Earth 2014,” said Heisnam Kanhailal during an interaction with media persons at Manipur Press Club here on Tuesday.
The media interaction was called in connection with the announcement of the upcoming “International Encounter: Theatre of the Earth 2014.”
The international theatre festival will be hosted by Kalakshetra Manipur in collaboration with Manipur University, JN Manipur Dance Academy and Department of the Art & Culture, Government of Manipur which will commerce from March 26 to 29, 2014, he continued.
He further added that in this international theatrical expression, two experts from USA, one from UK, three from Germany, two each from Indo-Asia, Israel, Netherlands, South Africa and one from Spain, altogether 16 international theatre experts were to participate as observers. however, due to financial constrains, only 10 experts from certain other states of India and 20 others from the state will participate in the coming international theatrical encounter, he added.
There are similarities between our culture and tradition with the Latin American, African and other countries of the third world countries, Heisnam Kanhailal told the media persons.
They still maintained their culture and tradition. So from the next edition of the festival onward, the theatre experts of these countries will be also invited, he added.
Kanhailal further added that the inaugural function will be held at Court Room of Manipur University on March 26, 2014 at 5 pm. During the 4 day long function, varieties of traditional performances will be presented and also three theatrical plays such as Pebet, Memoirs of Africa and Draupadi will be showcased and added theatre plays Pebet and Memoirs of Africa are only for the invitees and the observers. However, Draupadi will be shown for the public.
Answering to a question, he said that in the view of government, we are anti-establishment, and he further added that he never depended on the government.
He also blamed the government’s policy for destroying unity between valley and hill people.