Indian Manipuri Dance

Manipuri Dance

Land of classical Manipuri as known to the world, love of art and beauty goes with the people with a perfect natural background. Manipuri Dance being a classical form of dance has many items in the repertoire include martial dance with swords and performers dancing and drumming at the same time.

Ras lila is the epitome of Manipuri classical dance describing the transcendental love of Krishna and Radha and Gopis as narrated in ancient Hindu scriptures. According to legends of the Meitei Tribes of Manipur, when God created earth it was lumpy. Seven Lainoorahs danced on the lumpy sphere gently to make it smooth. Therefore, Manipuri dances are gentle and delicate. The body moves with slow, sinnous grace with undulating arm movements flowing into the fingers. It is multifaceted ranging from softest feminine to the obviously vigorous masculine.

Ras is most significant and important part of Manipuri dance. It represents Bhakti Sringara which is sacred and beautiful. The dance is so expansive that it needs tremendous amount of control over body to achieve the graceful movements. The beauty of the dance lies on Sarvanga Abhinaya than Mukha Abhinaya (facial expressions). Mood is interpreted and message conveyed through entire body. The dance is a continuous flow, curved and rounded, one movement delicately culminating into another.