Mutlaroidaba Machu is a powerful Manipuri Shumang Leela that explores two burning social realities of Manipur: drug addiction and misogyny. The story follows Ningthem, a young man consumed by addiction, and his retired father, who tirelessly fights to bring his son back to life with care and counselling. Their struggle reflects the deep wounds caused by narcotics in a society affected by the Golden Triangle drug trade. Parallel to this, sisters Ayingbi and Thabatombi battle poverty and gender-based exploitation to survive with dignity. They confront a world where men in power, hiding behind respectability, abuse women. Through their courage, the play exposes hypocrisy and demands justice and affirms that those who fall can rise again and usher in a social change.
Writer
Manaobi M.M. is a renowned Manipuri playwright and screenwriter. He has written more than 100 Shumang Leela plays and 18 radio dramas. He is the first playwright to create the famous “Kunti” hepatology, a milestone in Manipuri dramatic literature. His notable plays are 21st Century gi Kunti, Leikang Thambal, and Nupigi Thamoi. He has been felicitated with the Khundongbam Brojendro Award and Yambem Mani Memorial Prize. He is currently the President of the Cine Writers’ and Playwrights’ Forum, Manipur.
Director
Laishram Ibotombi Singh is a renowned artiste of Manipuri Shumang Leela with an outstanding 47 years of continuous contribution since 1978. He has acted in over 140 Shumang Leela plays and directed 11 acclaimed productions staged across Manipur and in various parts of India. He has been honoured with numerous awards for acting and a Best Director award from the Manipur State Kala Akademi’s Shumang Leela festivals.
Director’s Note
Mutlaroidaba Machu reflects both the beauty and the wounds of Manipuri society. As a director, I approach this play not only as a social message but as an emotional journey. Drug addiction and misogyny are not just issues of Manipur; they are global realities that destroy families and silence voices. Through theatre, I believe these truths can be felt, not just understood. Ningthem’s struggle shows how fragile the human spirit can be, while Ayingbi and Thabatombi represent courage, dignity, and resistance. They refuse to surrender to injustice. Shumang Leela is a living tradition of Manipur, performed among the people and for the people. With this production, I aim to honour its intimacy to the public and its authenticity.
Group
The Peace Maker Artistes’ Association, Manipur, founded on 5 August 2002 in Imphal, is an autonomous cultural organization committed to sustaining Shumang Leela, the traditional courtyard theatre of Manipur. It has more than fifty productions to its credit, including Kunti, Restafen, Leikang Thambal, Gusmaogi Khudol, Nupigee Thamoi, Enamma, Malemnganbi, Loi Kaba, Mutlaroidaba Machu, and Leepun. The Association has exhibited its plays across Manipur, in various national theatre festivals in India, and in the neighbouring country Bangladesh.