Gurumayum Bonny Sharma

Born and brought up in a family of theatre, Gurumayum Bonny first joined theatre as an artist in the year 1995 in Bashikhong Dramatic Union under the supervision of K. B. Sharma. His father who was a photographer in the Department of Publicity (late) G. Rabindro Sharma is a well known artist of Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU) and also a film enthusiast. And his mother, Gurumayum ongbi Surjamukhi Devi also retired as a senior artist from Manipur Dramatic Union due to old age, but she didn't stop visiting MDU, where she has become a guiding force for young and new artistes.

Gurumayum Bonny recalls those days when he and his mother would go hand in hand to MDU hall to watch drama, those dramas inspired Bonny to become an artist. While watching Manjagi Kangthol (a play by Panthoibi Natya Mandir) in 1993, Bonny dreamt of joining the modern theatre world, and thus joined the Bashikhong Dramatic Union in 1995.

Gurumayum Bonny in a scene from Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba

Later, he joined Panthoibi Natya Mandir in 1997 and work under Director Yumnam Rajen and got the taste of modern theatre. While in Panthoibi Natya Mandir, Bonny also works under Yumnam Sadananda Singh in Mime theatre and under Khwairakpam Ratan in Physical theatre. Although he steps into his dream of joining theatre, he always remembers the words of his father after his departure. 'Follow the river and at last you will find the sea' a phrase that makes Bonny successful is what his father always uttered to Bonny.

However, due to economic conditions of his family, Gurumayum Bonny thought of quitting Theatre and work in other fields to earn a livelihood. From selling second hand clothings in the streets as one of the pioneer, making meiphu, making mora, selling journals from door to door, selling water in the locality by pulling rickshaw is all he had done to earn his livelihood and lived hand to mouth.

But this has never let Bonny down to quit theatre instead while working tirelessly to earn livelihood, he still stayed in Theatre with confidence and with the big support of other family members. This led Bonny to become a great entertainer of this generation.

While working in Folk Theatre under Oja Rajen, Gurumayum Bonny received the National Scholarship from Ministry of Culture, Government of India. He was also awarded "Best Actor" in One Act Play competition at The National Youth Festival held at Hyderabad in 2005.

Owing to economic condition of his family, athough Bonny has a keen interest in Modern day Theatre, he had to join Shumang Leela in 2005 as an option to support his family. He joined the Peace Maker Artist's Association and played in his first Shumang Leela called Amamba Lambi. He also acted in as many as 10 Leelas such as Leikang Thambal, Aruba Eechel, Loyalamna Kourakle, Kunti-6 (Mihatpung), Nongallamdaisida, Yeningthana Ngairi, Opium War and Pizza.

Whether as a villain or as a hero, Gurumayum Bonny acted in all the characters he was assigned to even though he did find some difficulties while changing the form of theatre art. But, Birjit Ngangomba and other colleagues in the Peace Maker Artist's Association was a guiding colleague to him. He likes to play character of being an abnormal person in theatre.

In a step towards a new form of theatre, Gurumayum Bonny is now seen in almost all the new Manipuri cinema. He started his career in films by acting in a film called Lanmei Thanbi directed by Chou-in-Lai. He also acted in Ahinggi Tandan, Ereiduda, Panthunggi Wangmada, Leiramkhige, Shak-khangdaba, Tingkhang, Dakpham, Leepun, Echagidamak, Kanano, Khomei, Phijigee Mani (a national award winning film in digital format), Wanted Linthoi, Mapok Mayee, Ta Khamba, Khujingi Mamee, Yaiskulgi Pakhang Angaoba, Mangalsigi Ashada, ABC, Thouri, Sanamatum, Western Sankirtan, Mee haatningdaba Killer.

Shooting for many other films are also going on among which Ngaokhodana Bony Babu, Yaiphare Yaiphare, Director Producer, Sekmai Turel, Africagee Leishabi, Nongdamba, Poloida, Pizza and Kanglasha Meitei, etc. He also has a number of other assignments for which scheduled has been fixed.

Gurumayum Bonny in a scene from Yaiskulgee Pakhang Angaoba

Message from Gurumayum Bonny: Artists are playing a different role in the society through various forms of medium. Bonny urge the people not to think the artists only for acting and earning, but that the artist is also contributing for the society in one form or the other. When peace prevails, people will also get the real taste of all forms of Theatre. If an artist does not have the chance to perform for a long period, it causes the artist to carry a big burden. So, Bonny appealed to all to give encouragement to the profession of all the artists.

A word to new artist: One should join theatre after knowing the art form and under a very strict guidance from senior artist or by completing some sort of training. An artist should have good discipline, behavior and also have the courage to fight against misunderstanding from viewers, so that an artist gets respect from everyone. An artist is also a mirror of a society.



** This post was uploaded on March 30 2012 and later updated on March 31 2012.