ORIGIN
Manipuiri is indigenous to Manipur, the north-eastern state of
India and the indigenous people of this valley were said to be the dance-expert
Gandharva's, mentioned in the epic Ramayana, Mahabharata and other religious
scriptures.
Manipuri dance is purely religious and its aim is a spiritual experience.
Development of music and dance has through religious festivals and daily
activities of the Manipuri people. Not only is dance a medium of worship and
enjoyment, a door to the divine, but indispensable for all socio-cultural
ceremonies. From the religious point of view and from the artistic angle of
vision, Manipuri Classical Form of dance is claimed to be one on the most
chestiest, modest, softest and mildest but the most meaningful dances of the
world.
The most obliging aspect of Manipuri culture is that, it has retained the
ancient ritual based dances and folk dances along with the later developed
classical Manipuri dance style. Among the classical categories, 'Ras Leela' - a
highly evolved dance drama, choreographed on 'Vaishnavite Padavalis' composed by
mainly eminent Bengali poets and some Manipuri Gurus, is the highest expression
of artistic genius, devotion and excellence of the Manipuris.
Important terms
Different manifestations of the song, dance and martial arts culture that is intrinsic to the people of Manipur.
Udukhol: Krishna's Valya Lila and Vatsalya Ras is enacted through this dance and devotional music.
Basak: Basak is kind of Sangkirtan for males and females alike. The theme is derived from Basak Sajya, preparation of a seat for Sri Krishana and Sri Radhika and her maids with flowers.
Gouralila: Performed by boys of the age group of 8 and 10 years, representing Sri Chaitanya's lila such as meeting the Kesav Vharati, saving jogai - madhai,Touching scenes of Vishnupriya Separation etc.
Thang Ta: Martial arts by the Manipuri Meitheis, the dance with the use of spear and sword. Sword constitudes the body and the spear, the soul, so goes the saying of the Meitheis.
Nupi Pala: A kind of Kirtan performd by female in sitting position with mandira's (small cymbals) in hand.
Dhop Kirtan: A kind of kirtan style which is devoid of movements, must be held in connection of Durga Puja, Jhulan Jatra, Mera and Kartika festival.
Ipom: A form of entertainment where two or three Jtra personalities take part and discuss something. Sumanglila is the most popular form
Famous gurus
1) Guru Bipin Singha
2) Guru Nileshwar Mukherjee
3) Guru Senarik Rajkumar
4) Guru Chandrakanta Singha
5) Guru Nilmadhab Mukharjee
6) Guru Haricharan Singha
7) Bibhaboti Devi
8) Kalabati Devi
9) Preeti Patel
10) Tamanna Rahman