2017-03-25 Sat

Manipuri, the most beautiful and unique dance form of the Indian dance traditions is based on the love story of Radha and Lord Krishna. It is perfectly executed in the form of a dance-drama taking the theme of ‘Raas Lila’.

This dance form which is predominantly performed in the North-Eastern state of India, Manipur, gets its name from the State. It is based on the themes of Vaishnavism but also includes other stories associated with Shaktism, Shaivism and Sylvan deities called Umang Lai during Manipuri festival ‘Lai Haraoba’. This dance originated from ‘Natya Shastra’ but over the years it also has a reflection of the Southeast Asian culture in it.

The manifestation of this illustrative art form has influence from the great Indian epics like ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’. This art form showcases the spiritualistic aspect of a unique tradition where artists refer to themselves as ‘Gandharavas‘, mentioned in the Vedic text as singers, dancers, and musicians. The region is also referred to as the Gandharva-desa in ancient Manipuri script.

Manipuri artists’ dance costumes are also beautiful like their dance form. The women characters are dressed like Manipuri brides in Potloi costume in which Kumil (barrel shape skirt) is most notable. The male characters are dressed in colourful dhotis and a headgear ornamented by a beautiful peacock feather.

Manipur was annexed by the British government in 1891, and the flourishing period of this art from came under the clutches of the Colonial rule. The tradition of Manipuri dance form somehow survived in the Govindji temple of Imphal, when Christian missionaries launched an anti-dance movement in 1892.

Today this dance form is a jewel in the Indian tradition which is actively supported by the Government of India. India Post had issued a commemrative stamp in 1975 to celebrate and preserve this beautiful tradition.

This stamp is a part of a set of six commemorative stamps issued by the India Post in 1975 to celebrate the Indian classical dance traditions.

India has a unique set of dance traditions and to know more about them click here.