The Journey Of Nupishaabi- A Case Study Of ‘Shumang Leela’

Abstract

‘Shumang Leela’ stands for ‘Open Air Theatre Performance’ generally in the courtyards of residential houses of Manipur, India. It’s a Manipuri theatrical art from seems to develop in the 19th and 20th centuries. The unique feature of this art form is yet male actors are playing the role of female characters called “NupiShaabi”, this paper discusses the life journey of these NupiShaabi’s from their childhood to old age and also the analytical observation of their psychological, social and the physical aspects based on the various facts in this theatrical journey. It’s a comparative study of society and NupiShaabi’s in the context of Shumang Leela, social acceptance, grey thinking of society towards transgenders community, feminine male behaviour, and their life style. It also discusses the prodigious importance of NupiShaabi’s in Shumang Leela. Shumang Leela is the strongest medium in Manipur to convey the message and to acknowledge and influence various issues of socio-politico-economic to messes, it is also a way to promote the cultural and educational communication to the Manipuri society. The paper further explores the struggle of NupiShaabi's after finishing the career in Shumang Leela, remaining working options, acceptance by the family and society.