Manipuri - Repertoire

Manipuri is a dance which is the fusion of various classical and folk dances and hence has many different styles in its repertoire.

Manipuri still retains the ritual dances of the early Manipur dances with the most notable ones known as the Lai Haroba and the Khamba Thoibi . These dances combine nritta (dance) and abhinaya (drama) although the relationship between "word" and "gesture" is not as formally defined as it is in some of the other classical dances. There are various other dance types like a variety of cholams and kartalis . One of the most important dance types is known as the khol which can be performed either solo or go up to even a hundred dancers. These are set to a musical instrument known as the pung and the range of sounds that can be produced through the instrument is astounding. There are several other cholam dances as well like the duff cholam the kanjira cholam. Amongst the kartali dances there are two very interesting ones known as nupi khumbak ishai and nupa khumkak ishai . The above are group dances and many interesting formations are displayed. The dance is built up on the clapping of hands and is accompanied by the pung . The cholam and kartali dances are pure nritta with no abhinaya portions at all.

The full glory of Manipuri is displayed in its fabulous raasa dances which combine both nritta and abhinay i. Manipuri achieves a level of perfection here that can easily be compared to the other classical dance forms of India. raasa dances are based on literary works and are performed to a given metric cycle. Some of the important raasas are

- Vasantarasa which is performed on the full moon day of the festival of Holi - Kunjaraasa which is performed during Rakhi-Purnima in August - Maharaasa which is performed on the full moon day of Kartika Purnima in October November

There are several other raasa dance sequences as well. These raasass are usually based on a mythological story and give a lot of scope for solo dancers. A dominant mood is always created for each of the raasa and this is displayed even when the dancer is moving through different moods. The raasa dances are the most important part of the Manipuri repertoire. The themes as mentioned earlier are mythological usually depicting the scenes from the life of Lord Krishna. The dancers here actually assume the role of the character they are depicting and do not act as mere narrators as seen in some of the other dance forms.

Manipuri dance's main mood is devotion and a yearning for the divine. It symbolizes that all human beings are eternally seeking a re-union with God. Its a dance of tremendous elegance and beauty with exquisite fluid movements.

Manipuri is a dance which is the fusion of various classical and folk dances and hence has many different styles in its repertoire.

Manipuri still retains the ritual dances of the early Manipur dances with the most notable ones known as the Lai Haroba and the Khamba Thoibi . These dances combine nritta (dance) and abhinaya (drama) although the relationship between "word" and "gesture" is not as formally defined as it is in some of the other classical dances. There are various other dance types like a variety of cholams and kartalis . One of the most important dance types is known as the khol which can be performed either solo or go up to even a hundred dancers. These are set to a musical instrument known as the pung and the range of sounds that can be produced through the instrument is astounding. There are several other cholam dances as well like the duff cholam the kanjira cholam. Amongst the kartali dances there are two very interesting ones known as nupi khumbak ishai and nupa khumkak ishai . The above are group dances and many interesting formations are displayed. The dance is built up on the clapping of hands and is accompanied by the pung . The cholam and kartali dances are pure nritta with no abhinaya portions at all.

The full glory of Manipuri is displayed in its fabulous raasa dances which combine both nritta and abhinay i. Manipuri achieves a level of perfection here that can easily be compared to the other classical dance forms of India. raasa dances are based on literary works and are performed to a given metric cycle. Some of the important raasas are

- Vasantarasa which is performed on the full moon day of the festival of Holi - Kunjaraasa which is performed during Rakhi-Purnima in August - Maharaasa which is performed on the full moon day of Kartika Purnima in October November

There are several other raasa dance sequences as well. These raasass are usually based on a mythological story and give a lot of scope for solo dancers. A dominant mood is always created for each of the raasa and this is displayed even when the dancer is moving through different moods. The raasa dances are the most important part of the Manipuri repertoire. The themes as mentioned earlier are mythological usually depicting the scenes from the life of Lord Krishna. The dancers here actually assume the role of the character they are depicting and do not act as mere narrators as seen in some of the other dance forms.

Manipuri dance's main mood is devotion and a yearning for the divine. It symbolizes that all human beings are eternally seeking a re-union with God. Its a dance of tremendous elegance and beauty with exquisite fluid movements.