All about Dance... ANISHA GOEL

Manipuri is the classical dance from the Manipur region in the north-east. Manipuri is different in many ways from the other dance forms in India.  The dance form evolved in the 18th century with the advent of the Vaishnava faith, from earlier ritual and magical dance forms. 

According to the legends of the Meitei tribes of Manipur, when God created Earth, it was lumpy. The seven Lainoorahs (female deities) danced on this newly-formed sphere, pressing gently with their feet to make it firm and smooth. This is the origin of Meitei Jagoi. To this day, when Manipuri people dance, they do not stamp vigorously but press their feet gently and delicately on the ground. The original myths and stories are still practiced by the cultist Maibis, or Meitei priestesses in the form (Maibi) that is the root of Manipuri.

There is another myth about the beginning of Lai Harouba. The story goes that when Krishna, Radha and the gopis danced the Ras Leela, Lord Shiva ensured that no one would disturb the beauty of the performance. Hence, when his wife Parvati expressed a wish to be present, he acquiesced and the Ras Leela was re-enacted in Manipur. Down the ages, in the 11th century, during the rule of Raja Loyamba, this dance was performed by Prince Khamba and Princess Thaibi of the Khomal and Mairang dynasties respectively. At this time, it was renamed the Lai Harouba.

Repertoire: In Manipuri dances there is an absence of expressions. All moods and emotions are shown by the movements of the body and limbs. They have snake-like supple movements, slight gentle jumps and beautiful twists and turns. The male 'Sankirtana' dances, performed to the pulsating rhythm of the Manipuri dholak are full of vitality. In the Pung cholan (drum dance) the dancers playing drums jump, bend and move heroically to the rhythm of the drum beats. The female 'Rasa' dances based on the Radha-Krishna theme, feature group ballets and solos. The body moves with slow, sinuous grace and the undulating arm movements flow into the fingers. Female dancers neither lift their arms above the head nor stretch them below the knees, but move gracefully in a hypnotizing manner.

Costume and Music: The book- Govinda sangeet vilasa describes various costumes, jewelry and hastas. The gorgeous Manipuri costume called kummil can be seen in the accompanying photograph. The Lai haroba style uses a slightly different costume called phanek which includes a tight fitting blouse and a short cross wise skirt in black and red. The ornaments in both costumes are simple and flower garlands adorn dancers instead of necklaces.

The musical forms of Manipuri dance reflect the culture of the state of Manipur. The art form primarily depicts episodes from the life of Vishnu and is paradoxically a most tender and vigorous form of expression. Balance and a restraint of power are the predominant features of this style. Themes from the Vishnu Purana, Bhagvata Purana and compositions from the Gitagovinda predominate the repertoire. Four instruments are essential viz. pung – percussion drum, komba – flute, israj – tambura, and kartal – cymbals