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Mizoram theatre festival popularises rural lifestyle
by D Henpilen

     Aizwal (Mizoram): To highlight Mizo culture and showcase the lifestyle of people living in rural areas, a theatre festival was held here for the first time recently. At least ten theatre groups made the event a memorable experience for theatre lovers who witnessed it. One of the most appreciated events was "A Prism of Life", a play which left people spellbound. The play showcased how life in village is enjoyed in a manner not familiar to city dwellers. How individuals living in rural areas sort out their problems or discuss significant issues as a family unity, besides maintaining communal harmony. Organised by the Department of Art and Culture, the festival also presented the Mizoram's glorious history and traditions. Participating artists laid stress on depicting how villagers were striving to retain their unspoiled life. "I am very happy and thankful to the Mizoram Government for organising a festival like this. It is good for young people like us. Through this festival, the need to maintain our ethos and different lifestyle in its original form has influenced most us and we have presented it in a drama form," said K. Lalngaizuala, an artist. Young men and women who performed said they were keen to develop Mizo drama. "We expect to organise one drama club each from the eight districts of Mizoram for the promotion of drama in Mizoram. The main theme of the drama festival is for the development of drama," said R. Hmingthanzuala, the Director of Art and Culture, Department of Mizoram. Mizoram boasts of a literacy rate of 88.8 per cent - the second highest among all Indian States after Kerala. Modern day Mizos are fast giving up their old customs and adopting new lifestyles that are greatly influenced by western culture. Music is a passion for the Mizos, and the youth, especially, have become quite enamoured of Western music. About 87 per cent of the population (including almost all ethnic Mizos) is Christian. Majority of the population is comprised of ethnic Mizos. Presently, efforts are being made to spread awareness about the importance to maintain unity among all the Mizo tribes living in different parts of north east States of the country, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Mizos are divided into numerous tribes, the largest of which is the Lushai, which comprises almost two-third of the State's population.
-Dec 29, 2006