Imphal, July 5: Altogether 30,000 dancers will match steps at Palace compound in Imphal East on September 27 to attempt a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Today, 100 brand ambassadors performed a dance demonstration at Kongba in Imphal East district to herald the mega performance.
The 100 brand ambassadors were selected for today's programme from 564 young dancers who participated in a state-level dance competition held in March this year.
The dance was composed to a popular patriotic song, Sana Leibak Manipur Koloi Nangi Manipur (Resourceful Manipur, thy name is Manipur) written by lyricist and writer late B. Jayantakumar Sharma.
"We chose the song as it is patriotic and its meaning and rhythm suit the traditional dance," said Leishemba Budha, the chief operating officer of Kangla Entertainment Industry.
Budha told The Telegraph, "We want to provide a larger platform for our traditional dance in the world by making a place in the Guinness Book of World Records."
The Kangla Entertainment Industry plans to campaign in schools, local clubs, organisations and dance colleges to obtain the target number of dancers for the attempt by the beginning of September.
The organisers will choose 40 dancers from the 100 ambassadors to train interested dancers who want to join the event. "Cultural dance teachers from different institutes will play a major role in training the dancers," said Budha, who choreographed today's performance.
The dance form is based on the popular Manipuri khamba thoibi dance.
Dancers above 10 years can join the mega event.
However, there were eight girls below that age among today's dancers. "These children were allowed as they are perfect," said Budha.
Konsam Jessica, a girl below the target age, said, "I love to dance. I will be very happy if our dance gets a place in the record book. I will continue dancing when I grow up."
"As parents we decided to guide our child in the field she wants. We will do anything for her success," said Konsam Sonia, Jessica's mother.
A. Ibomcha Singh, adviser to the mission, said, "Manipur is known for its cultural dances. But there are no records. Sportspersons like Mary Kom have created records. We want to create a record in dance too."
So far, Manipur has three names in the Guinness Book of World of Records.
Moiranthem Okendro's 50-feet high Samban-Lei Sekpil (sky flower) was on the record list in 1999.
Shija Hospital and Research Institute entered the record book in 2003 for successfully removing the largest neck tumour from a 12-day-old baby. In 2014, a young boy, Maibam Itomba, put his name in the record book for 16 consecutive pinky chin-ups in 30 seconds.
