Arunachal Rang Mahotsav opens with Mishmi tribe’s folk play ‘Ola Ola’

The curtain rose on the Arunachal Rang Mahotsav with the premiere of “Ola Ola,” a captivating folk theatre production by the Mishmi tribe, blending mythology, ritual, and the essence of nature through storytelling and performance.

Speaking to the media, Director of Indigenous Affairs, Sokhep Kri, said the play interweaves three to four traditional stories, depicting themes of agriculture, rituals, and the eternal struggle between gods and demons. One of the most striking elements, he said, was the depiction of the origin of the Mishmi textile design, believed to be inspired by a water fairy or mermaid, an element beautifully captured in the performance. “It makes us emotional, made us laugh with mixed emotions and truly spread the significance of nature in Mishmi culture,” Kri remarked.

The Director of ‘Ola Ola’, who helmed the first-ever theatre production dedicated to the Mishmi community, expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “I was deeply inspired by the mermaid story connected to the Mishmi tribe. The play was challenging to produce as there was no written version of this historical tale — it was passed down orally through generations, and we made this play possible through those verbal narratives,” he said.

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Arunachal Rang Mahotsav Director Riken Ngomle, speaking to India Today, said this year’s festival will feature participants from 11 countries, with ambassadors from Ireland and Denmark in attendance. The event will also see the presence of celebrities such as Shekhar Suman, Ila Arun, and Mita Vashisht, among others.
The festival, scheduled from November 23 to December 6, will showcase 10 indigenous local plays, beginning with the Mishmi community’s Ola Ola. “The motto behind this festival is to bring a medium to showcase our artistic talent as Arunachalees,” Ngomle said. “The government is supporting this initiative to help youths pursue careers in theatre. Theatre not only creates artists but also nurtures logical, empathetic human beings and unites various tribes by erasing differences.”

Describing the Arunachal Rang Mahotsav as the state’s first major government-sponsored theatre festival, Ngomle said it is set to become an annual calendar event. He urged the public to participate as audiences, adding, “Audience involvement gives life to theatre — they are the soul of every performance.”