Kiro, Arun
Maibi Laichig Jagoi
One of the most popular festivals in the valley of Manipur mirrors the unique heritage of the ancient Pre-Vaisnaite tradition of Manipur. It is celebrated during the month of March and April every year. The Lai-Haraoba Dance led by the Maiba's and the Maibi's symbolised the creation of life and growth of civilization in a highly rhythmic and absorbing style and performed before the sylavan deity to bring peace and prosperity to the land. this dance deals with the cosmogony of the Meitei people of Manipur.. |
Thougal Jagoi
Thougal jagoi is a part of the famous Manipuri Traditional Lai-Jaraoba depiction the performence before the sylvan god and goddess to bring peace and prosperity to the land.
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Dhon Dholok Cholom
Dhon Dholok Cholom is an indispensable part of the great Holi festival and belong t the post Vaishnavite Culture on Manipur. Dhon Dholok is popularly known for agility and artistic precision in the part of the percussionists with thundering sound of the drums. |
Thang-Ta
Thang-Ta popularly known worldwide as Martial Art of Manipur is and art for self defiance and also for offence having a deep spiritual foundation and long historical tradition right form the pre-historic times which reminds one of spartan life-style of the Greek. It is performed with swords and shields. The agility and striking movement of the swordsmen with exciting and artistic gesture makes the art a thriller for the audience. |
Pung Cholom
Pung Cholom as a part of the Sankirtana music, by the drummers in spotless white costume is known world-wide for vigorous and acrobatic style of movements executed with great artistry and precision. It owes its origin to 'Kirtan' of Sri Chaitanya. It is performed as an invocatory number preceding the Sankirtana and Ras Lila. It is based upon the drum known as pung or Manipuri mridang. In this style, the dancers play the pung at the same time that they are dancing. Sometimes acrobatics are used for an exciting effect, all without breaking the flow of the music. It is a highly refined classical dance characterised by the modulation of sound from a whisper to a thunderous climax. There is the interplay of rhythms and cross rhythms with varying markings of time from the slow to the quick with graceful and vigourous body movements. The talas numbering more than forty are highly complicated and classical in rhythmic structure. The Nupa Pala is a variation of the Pung Cholom; this is also known as the Kartal Cholom and is the cymbal dance. There is the Khamba Thoibi; this portrays the love affair between a prince and princes of two warring clans. |
Khoigunalam or Kit-Lam Kit Lam Dance is an example of the creative skills of Kabuis inhabiting the western hill ranges of Maniplur. The Kabuis' are well known for their exquisite tribal folk dances and heart throbbing musical renderings. The Kit Lam Dance is particularly known for vigorous and rhythmic movements in highly sophisticated geometrical shape and design amidst a background music and deafening sound of the drum. It is performed by the Kom tribes. |
Basanta Ras
Basanta Ras is a one of the five traditional Manipuri Ras leela, based on the Bhagavata tradition of the Sringara Rasa of the Lord Krishna and his Gopies led by Shrimati Radhika as conceived by the Great Gurus of Manipur. The gopis led by Radhika responding to flute to the Lord Came to the appointed grove and danced together and concluded with the milan of the Lord Krishna and Rahika. It is performed during Full-Moon in March-April. |
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Photographs:
Soumya Dev