Press Release 28 February 2012

A story has been chosen by participants of the Animation Workshop currently taking place in Imphal to represent the state of Manipur in the “Tales of the Tribes” animation project.   “Tapta” is a story about primordial fear - and perhaps the idea that fear is imaginary.   A childless couple prayed to God for a child and at last a son was born to them.    As an only child the baby was quite spoilt and would cry a lot.  Mother was at her wits end and she threatened her child with various ferocious animals, but to no avail.  At last she declared that the fearful “Tapta” would come, and instantly the child was silenced.   By chance there was a cattle thief and a tiger stalking in the barn and both of them overheard the mother’s threat of the fearsome Tapta.  A chaotic, slapstick comic situation arises as a result of misunderstanding and the mythical, nonexistent Tapta gains an even greater presence.      “The story is very popular here and it may have wide appeal.  It is full of drama, has plenty of scope for gags that will be enjoyed by children and we all identify with this story here”, explains Dr. R.K. Joykumar Singh. 

The story was chosen democratically from sixteen that had been related by the participants. It originates from the majority Meitei community of Imphal, and it was felt that it could best be brought to life with authenticity by the Meitei participants of the workshop.  The next task will be to write a script for the film and then to create the storyboard.  Meanwhile the two students from the National Institute of Design will be helping the participants to explore experimental techniques of animation to give an “organic” feeling to the film.   

In the afternoon Dr. R.K. Joykumar Singh guided the group in techniques of sketching to create interesting lines.   The participants took turns posing for quick life drawing exercises and the day ended with a screening of experimental animation films by renowned masters of animation including Ishu Patel, Ryan Larkin, Michael Du Wit and Yuri Norstein. 

Folktales related during the workshop:

Tapta (Meitei, comic suitable for children)

Artuite (Hmar, comic, suitable for children)
Uchek Lanmeidong/Guileng (Meitei/Rongmei, tragic-comic, animation film already done on Meitei version)
Kei-Onba Pukhri (Tribal, horror/drama, not for children)

Tonjao and Pheijao (Meitei, fantasy adventure)
Hui and Houdong (Meitei, animal fable)

Khujao (Thangkhul, fantasy adventure)

Emoinu (Meitei, mythological)

Pebet (Meitei, comedy/drama)
Thanghou-Lian-Dou (Paite)
Rongmeikai and Langbum (Rongmei)

Laikutsangbi (Meitei, horror)

Jamlud (Aimol, heroic fantasy comic)
Pikhra (the bat) (Mao, animal fable)

The Promise (Zeliangrong, man-nature-spirit)