Culture and Dances

DANCES

The several art and dance forms of Manipur are devotional in nature – where performers pay their respects to the legends of the gods and goddesses. Manipuri Dance is one of the famous dances of India. The dance coined its name from the state itself whereat becomes an inherent part of the life of the people of Manipur in their daily rituals. The state is best represented by its classical and folk dance forms.

Pung Cholom:

Pung Cholom or Manipuri Mridanga is a vibrant dance performed by dancers by playing on the drums with thrilling leaps and returns with a fast rhythm. It assumes an important ritual character characterised by the modulation of sound from soft to a thunderous climax. There is interplay of intricate rhythms and cross rhythms with various types of body movements that are executed with great artistic skills and excitement leading to ecastic heights.The performers wear a special type of turban, which they drop by their flicking of heads and with their movements. These turbans are mostly of light coloured.

Ras Lila:

Ras Lila, the epitome of Manipuri Classical Dance is performed inter-woven through the celestial and eternal love of Radha and Krishna and the Gopi’s devotion to the Lord. Ras Lila revolves around the story of the love between Krishna and and Radha, his divine beloved. It is performed in front of the temple of Shri Shri Govindajee throughout the night of Basanta Purnima, Sarada Purnima and Kartik Purnima. The dance is performed in combination of solo, duet, group dances. The richness of the costumes, the beautiful embroidered skirts, long and flared from the waist, translucent veils and Krishna's costume with the tall peacock feather crown enhance the lustre of the beauty of the form of dance.

Maibi Dance:

This dance is performed during the festival of Lai-Haraoba. The Maibis (priestesses) depict the entire concept of cosmogony of the Meitei people and describe their way of life through their dance. Beginning with the process of creation, they show various occupations that people perform to live for themselves.

Nupa Pala:

Nupa Pala which is otherwise known as Kartal Cholom or Cymbal Dance represents the characteristic of the Manipuri style of dance and music. The initial movements of this dance are soft and serene, gradually gathers momentum. It is a group performance of male partners, using cymbals and wearing white Pheijom (Dhoti) and snow white ball-shaped large turbans on head, who sing and dance to the rhythm of classical drum "Pung".

Khamba Thoibi dance:

A dance of dedication to the sylvan deity, Khamba Thoibi dance is a duet of male and female partners. This dance is a part and parcel of Moirang Lai-Haraoba. For performing this dance, man candidates pick up their partners at dance arena. Girls become ready with colorful dress-up with flowers in their hands. It is believed that the legendary hero - Khamba and heroin - Thoibi danced together before the Lord Thangjing, a deity of Moirang. This dance is a depiction of the dance performed by Khamba and Thoibi.