Manipuri Classical Dances of India Part 3

Manipuri -- The classical dancce of the North Eastern state of Manipur

Ancient sculptures

Jagoi or Manipuri dance was the only classical dance from the Northeastern states, till the state of Assam came up with its own form of dance. Themes included in this art form associate with Shaktism, Shaivism and on the sylvan deities called Umang Lai during Manipuri festival ‘Lai Haraoba’, however the main theme hovers around Vaishnavism. During “Lai Haraoba” festival quite a few tandava steps are performed in order to honour Shiva, the ‘Khamba Thoibi’ dance is performed (a duet dance of male and female partners that is dedicated to the sylvan deity, Thangjing of Moiran, and associated with the Manipuri folklore of two lovers an orphan boy Khamba and a princess Thoibi, daughter of King Chinkhuba, from the epic ‘Moirang Parba’.) .

Female Costume

Costume : Costume is very elaborate particularly for women are quite unique from other Indian classical dance forms. The female dancer dresses up like a Manipuri bride and the male dancers wear dhoti. The drummers who also dance while drumming are male artists. They wear white dhoti that covers the lower part of body from waist and a white turban on the head. A shawl neatly folded adorns their left shoulders while the drum strap falls on their right shoulders. Both the male and the female costume is described with image.

Male Costume

Musical Instruments : The musical instrument generally used in this art form includes the Pung that is a barrel drum (played by male performers), cymbals or kartals, harmonium, flute, pena and sembong. Accompanists include a singer or singers. The Kartals have beautifull and colourfull strings aattached to them. Extensive use of sticks (two short sticks ) is very common in Ras Lila.

Tradition : During the Pong cholom dance, which is normally performed as a prelude to ‘Ras Lila’, dancer-drummers perform spectacular footwork including dance jumps while drumming. Similarly in Kartal cholom dance the dancers performing in group play the kartals or cymbals and dance to its rhythm forming and moving in a circle. While Pong cholom and Kartal cholom are performed by male artists, Mandilla cholom is performed by women in group while playing cymbals that are tied with colourful tassel strings.

Story of the Origin : It is surprising to many that there is a mention of Manipur Rajya in Mahabharata. It is believed that the foothills of Himalaya (basically the valley that connects modern India and Burma) was the house of the Gandharvas and their wives (Apsaras). This region was also known as Gandharva Desam in many ancient Indian texts. It is believed that the ancient vedic goddesses of dawn ---- Usha is said to have trained the womenfolks of this region in feminine dance mode. Mention of Tandu (disciples of Lord Nataraja) is found in many texts of this region. He is said to have taught the Tandava style of dance to the Naras and Apsaras residing in this region. These are not just mythical stories. However not many texts have survived till modern era. The dance was mainly taught based on the Guru Shisya Parampara and Shruti - Smriti. However after 1700s few documentations have been studied to understand the influence of Society, politics, economy on Manipuri Dance Form. We shall study that in the next segment.

Historical Facts : The Rongba ruller of Manipur region adopted Vaishnavisim in early 17th century. Many texts from that period mentions of huge migration of people from Bengal, Bihar and Assam to Manipur region. Manipuri dance have humongous influence of Vaishnava cult. During the British era this dance form reached its all time lows. It was by length discouraged and demised. However post independence (1947) this dance form have finally revived and many scholars and artists have worked extremely hard for it. Rabindranath Tagore was so mesmerised by Manipuri dance that he offer Guru Buddhimanta, a leading Manipuri dancer in early 1900s, a post as a faculty member in Shantiniketan.

Noteable Dancers : Guru Bipin Singh, Bhimvati Devi, Gauri Sen, Guru Naba Kumar, Jhaveri Sisters.

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