Manipuri
Manipuri - as the name suggests, originated in Manipur. The north eastern state of India is a paradise on Earth when nature has been extra generous in her beauty. Love, art and beauty is inherent in the people of this land from time immemorial.
This dance form is considered as the youngest among the Classical Indian Dances. The most striking part of Manipur dance is its colourful decoration, lightness of dancing foot, delicacy of abhinaya (drama), lilting music and poetic charm. The Manipuri dance form is mostly ritualistic and draws heavily from the rich culture of the State.
Costumes used in the Manipuri dance are colourful and the music carries a quaint charm. "Patloi" is the typical costume of the female dancers. Rich and vibrant colours with jewelry are used as Manipuri dance costumes. The stunning colours of the ghaghras and the intricate sequin designs of the flounced skirts offer that feel of the long lost historical brilliance in the dance pattern. The lehenga is called "kumin" which has mirrors and zari inserted in it.
Manipuri dance can be called a basket of various dances. According to legends, the original creators of Manipuri dance were Radha and Krishna. This Rasa Leela dance is said to be repeated by Shiva and his consort, Goddess Uma in Lasya style (in Manipur). It is interesting to note that the same dance (Rasa-dance) was performed for the third time by two mortal human beings, princess Toibi and Khamba of Manipur.
The dance performed by these two lovers is known as Lai Haraoba. Music in Manipuri dance is bound by sheer technicalities of this dance form. Short musical compositions like the swarmala, the charring and the keertiprabhand form an important part of the dancer's repertoire.
The musical accompaniment for Manipuri dance comes from a percussion instrument called the Pung, a singer, small cymbals, a stringed instrument called the pena and wind instrument such as a flute. The drummers are always male artistes and, after learning to play the pung, students are trained to dance with it while drumming. This dance is known as Pung cholom. The lyrics used in Manipuri are usually from the classical poetry of Jayadeva, Vidyapati,Chandidas, Govindadas or Gyandas and may be in Sanskrit, Maithili, Brij Bhasha or others.
This dance form is considered as the youngest among the Classical Indian Dances. The most striking part of Manipur dance is its colourful decoration, lightness of dancing foot, delicacy of abhinaya (drama), lilting music and poetic charm. The Manipuri dance form is mostly ritualistic and draws heavily from the rich culture of the State.
Costumes used in the Manipuri dance are colourful and the music carries a quaint charm. "Patloi" is the typical costume of the female dancers. Rich and vibrant colours with jewelry are used as Manipuri dance costumes. The stunning colours of the ghaghras and the intricate sequin designs of the flounced skirts offer that feel of the long lost historical brilliance in the dance pattern. The lehenga is called "kumin" which has mirrors and zari inserted in it.
Manipuri dance can be called a basket of various dances. According to legends, the original creators of Manipuri dance were Radha and Krishna. This Rasa Leela dance is said to be repeated by Shiva and his consort, Goddess Uma in Lasya style (in Manipur). It is interesting to note that the same dance (Rasa-dance) was performed for the third time by two mortal human beings, princess Toibi and Khamba of Manipur.
The dance performed by these two lovers is known as Lai Haraoba. Music in Manipuri dance is bound by sheer technicalities of this dance form. Short musical compositions like the swarmala, the charring and the keertiprabhand form an important part of the dancer's repertoire.
The musical accompaniment for Manipuri dance comes from a percussion instrument called the Pung, a singer, small cymbals, a stringed instrument called the pena and wind instrument such as a flute. The drummers are always male artistes and, after learning to play the pung, students are trained to dance with it while drumming. This dance is known as Pung cholom. The lyrics used in Manipuri are usually from the classical poetry of Jayadeva, Vidyapati,Chandidas, Govindadas or Gyandas and may be in Sanskrit, Maithili, Brij Bhasha or others.
Known Dancers
Guru Senarik Rajkumar is well known to Manipuri society as with them the new department of Manipuri Dance was created in the Shantiniketan (Kolkata) in the early 30’s.
Guru Bipin Singh (August 23, 1918 - January 9, 2000) was rightly called the ‘Father of Manipuri Dance and style’. He was awarded with a number of prestigious titles like Bharat Ratna, Kalidas Samman etc.
Guru Bipin Singh (August 23, 1918 - January 9, 2000) was rightly called the ‘Father of Manipuri Dance and style’. He was awarded with a number of prestigious titles like Bharat Ratna, Kalidas Samman etc.