Süngra is a play that highlights the evolution of Ao community from Six stones, the role of Lijaba (God of land) taking care of the community The significance of the bird ‘Hornbill’ among the Ao’s is also enshrined through out the play. The play also emphasizes on the traditions., culture and identity of the Ao’s. Their peculiar chronicles, ways and means of their ancestors followed to survive. It also highlights how head hunting created turmoil among themselves. It is true that there were chaos, but it speaks about the sacrifices their ancestors willingly did in order to create a tapestry meant to adore, a beautiful hustle that marked the birth of a community. Today they are proud to be called as Ao’s and prefer to be identified with it and most importantly it beguiles their existence and they like to cherish and preserve it, despite uncountable changes the world puts them into.
Like a lure, the play ‘Süngra’ is tracked by the Ao’s lullaby and folk songs. “This is my Identity and I will keep it close to my chest, and my veins must be strong enough to keep it alive for my future generations”
Director
Kilangtemsu Imsong is an Actor / Director in the field of Theatre and films. He is an Alumni of National School of Drama- Theatre in Education, Tripura. He is also a practitioner of Theatre and conducted many workshops using different methods and strategies with the children and adults. Ever since his studies, his motive has been to execute the reality of Naga Society through art, for he truly believes that life imitates art and Vice Versa. He is also the awardee of NEZCC Young Talented Award 2017-18 in the field of Theatre. He also directed a Folk play called ‘Taho-Mesen-Sami with the students of Sakus Mission College, also a street play USE ME’ on Swachchh Bharat at Mangkolemba- 2016. ‘BOINU’ at St. Joseph School, Songlhuh and ‘WHY ALWAYS ME?’ at RKS Tuli- 2021. His film ‘Walakro is the winner of 1st Nagaland Amateur Short Film Festival Award- 2017. He also directed a short film ‘Yellow’ initiated by DABA. He played the role of a protagonist in a Web series called ‘Dreams & Chaos’. He performed at the International 8th Theatre Olvmpic- 2018 at NSD New Delhi. and at the North East Theatre Festival Manipur- 2055, Silchar in 2016 and also at other various parts of Nagaland. He conducted a 3 month-long workshop with the teachers of Upper Assam on the theme ‘Drama for creativity’. He is the founder of So-li-sü, Nagaland.
Director’s Note
Süngra is not merely a play; it is an act of remembrance, a theatrical journey into the origins and identity of the Ao community. Drawing from oral histories, the play traces the evolution of the people from the time of the Six Stones honouring Lijaba, the guardian spirit of the land, and the Hornbill, a sacred symbol deeply embedded in Ao culture.
Through movement, ritual, and music, Süngra reflects the traditions, beliefs, and lived experiences of the Aos. It acknowledges moments of conflict and chaos, including practices that once shaped the community, while foregrounding the sacrifices and resilience that enabled survival, unity, and continuity. Music plays a vital role in the narrative. Ao lullabies and folk songs flow through the performance like a living pulse-guiding, soothing, and reminding us that memory often endures through sound long after words are faded.
In a rapidly changing world, Süngra stands as an affirmation of identity, an expression of pride, responsibility, and the enduring commitment to preserve cultural heritage for generations to come.
Group
So-Li-Sü, is a theatre group formed with a motto ‘Life in Motion’ to discover the essence of human, to unveil the magic of performing arts and to explore through different techniques, to gather all the scattered pieces of survival. A means to explore human emotions and create a positive side of being alive !