Manipur State Kala Akademi has been taking an active role in the promotion of Shumang Leela the traditional open courtyard play of Manipur by holding the annual Shumang Leela Festival for more than four decades. Apart from promotion of this unique and popular art form, the Festival also aims at preserving the traditional features of Shumang Leela. Besides showcasing the popular male Shumang Leela plays, the Festival also gives the much needed platform to the female Shumang Leela groups to present their latest plays.