Pebet: A Non-Verbal Play Showcasing Manipuri Heritage and the Spirit of Meitei Women

Pebet

Pebet is a Meitei folk tale that symbolizes the virtues, courage, and spirit of Meitei women of Manipur, which are rooted in mythology, legend, folklore, literature, and history.

Director

Dr. Y. Sadananda Singh serves as the Director of the Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory. He holds an M.A. in English Literature and a Ph.D. in Manipuri Theatre. Active in mime and non-verbal theatre since 1978, his background includes training under Guru Niranjan Goswami, national scholarships and fellowships from the Ministry of Culture, India, and honors such as the Manipur State Kala Akademi Award and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Theatre and Mime 2022-23.

Director’s Note

The non-verbal play Pebet adapts a traditional folk story focusing on a mother bird protecting her chicks from a sly cat. The production incorporates Thang-Ta (ancient Manipuri martial art), rhythmic folk music, and Pung Cholom to convey a narrative without words.

Group

Established in 1998, the Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory has participated in numerous national and international festivals, including the Bharat Rang Mahotsav, Chuncheon International Mime Festival in South Korea, International Puppet and Mime Festival of Kilkis in Greece, and festivals in Macedonia, Armenia, and Germany. The group received the Best Script and Sound Award at the META Festival for Mirel Masingkha and is empaneled with the ICCR, Govt. of India.