Manipuri Dance

Introduction

The classical dance form of Manipuri is the main dance of Manipur. The dances of Manipur essentially has religious inclination and itReveals the story of spiritual experiences & salvation. Earlier the

Dances were only performed in the temple premises & it was only in the 20th century that the performances began on stage. The

Traditional Manipuri dance style embodies delicate, lyrical & gracefulMovements.

Rasa Lila

Introduction

It is the dance of lord Krishna, Radha &the Gopies. The epitome of this dance is inter-woven Through the celestial & eternal love of Radha & Krishna. It is generally performed in an enclosurein front of the temple throughout the night &watched with a deep sense of devotion. There are different kinds of Ras-dances. They are as follows:

Maharas, Kunjaras, Basantaras,Nityaras & Dibaras.

CostumesThe costumes and ornaments of Ras are colorful and glittering. Radhika wears a green dress & Gopies are in red. Krishna performs in saffron. The dressing is designed in such a way to freefrom any stimulus, excitement to the opposite sex. The skirt which the Ras dancers wear is

modelled on the one the Maharaja Bhagya Chandra(1763-1798) saw in his dream.

Female Costume

Choli

Koknaam

Meikhumbi

Kumin

Pasuan

Koktombi

Thabret

Male Costume

Chura Leitreng Choli

Thabret

Khaon

Feichom Ghungur

Khamba Thoibi

Introduction

There are many other dances amongst the meithies, one of the most exquisite is ‘Khamba Thoibi’, The story of Khamba & Thoibi, related in the epic story ‘Moirang Purba’. It tells of the poor boy Khamba who fell in love with the Moirang princess Thoibi. Thoibi and Khamba, believed to be the Incarnations of Shiva andParvati, took place during the region of Raja Loyamba, which was about A.D. 1047.

Choli

Inifi

Fanek

Dhoti

Costume

Thang Ta

IntroductionAnother ancient dance, which gives insight into the martial nature of the people is ‘Astra - Vidya’ or war dances with sword and spear, danced during the Durga Puja Festival. Thisdance existed in Manipur from the earliest days, as is evidentfrom an inscription dated A.D. 154, about a patron of arts, Raja Khowoi Thampak. Records also tell us that in A.D. 707, a group of dancers and musicians from Burma, Assam and Manipur, went as a cultural delegation to china.

Thang Ta combatants pose for camera as part of International Seminar-and-workshop on "Spiritual And Physical Dimension Of Manipur Martial Arts" at Manipur University Campus from 9th to 12th August, 2008

Thang Ta combatants pose for camera as part of International Seminar-and-workshop on "Spiritual And Physical Dimension Of Manipur Martial Arts" at Manipur University Campus from 9th to 12th August, 2008