Manipuri
The Manipuri is a classical Indian dance that originated from the north-eastern state of Manipur. It is mainly used for religious purposes with an aim for spiritual experience, but is sometimes used for entertainment now in modern times. It is known to be one of the most refined and meaningful dances in India. Manipuri culture encompasses ancient ritual based dances and folk dances along with the later developed classical Manipuri dance style. 'Ras Leela', which is a highly evolved dance drama, is the highest expression of artistic skill and reverence of the Manipuris. It was composed mainly by renowned Bengali poets and Manipuri gurus.
Dance Elements
The Manipuris believe that dance should only be used to venerate deities; there is no dancing for patronage of for the sake of dancing. The ritualistic and religious purpose rises above all the rest. Hence, there are specific rules that they adhere to when it comes to dance performances:
1) The place where the dance is held is sacred. It is considered to be a crime or sin to violate the rules.
2) Dances are devotional or ritualistic rather than entertainment. It is a Sadhan-Bhakti - a practice of devotion.
3) The costumes are designed to not give off temptation and excitement to the opposite sex. Dance is but the rhythmic expression of action and activities of life on the upper part of the body.
4) The performer never looks at any person or the audience as a mark of concentration. This leads to the dancer giving up on all lust, greed, anger, envy, hatred and pride through this concentration.
5) The dance steps are intricate and complex and never show outward feeling of lust and amorous play.
Manipuri values rounded, soft movements as opposed to quick, jerky, sudden ones. When compared to the emphasis of movements in Bharata Natyam, Manipuri relies more on subtlety. For feet movements, performers make sure that their feet never strike the ground as to make sounds. They let the knees and ankles cushion the fall. The dancer’s feet are neither put down nor lifted up at the precise rhythmic points of the music but rather slightly earlier or later to express the same rhythmic points most effectively.For hand movements, these are just a few of them:
1) The place where the dance is held is sacred. It is considered to be a crime or sin to violate the rules.
2) Dances are devotional or ritualistic rather than entertainment. It is a Sadhan-Bhakti - a practice of devotion.
3) The costumes are designed to not give off temptation and excitement to the opposite sex. Dance is but the rhythmic expression of action and activities of life on the upper part of the body.
4) The performer never looks at any person or the audience as a mark of concentration. This leads to the dancer giving up on all lust, greed, anger, envy, hatred and pride through this concentration.
5) The dance steps are intricate and complex and never show outward feeling of lust and amorous play.
Manipuri values rounded, soft movements as opposed to quick, jerky, sudden ones. When compared to the emphasis of movements in Bharata Natyam, Manipuri relies more on subtlety. For feet movements, performers make sure that their feet never strike the ground as to make sounds. They let the knees and ankles cushion the fall. The dancer’s feet are neither put down nor lifted up at the precise rhythmic points of the music but rather slightly earlier or later to express the same rhythmic points most effectively.For hand movements, these are just a few of them:
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Costume
Manipuri costumes are rich in color, design, and adornments. A legend states that the outfits were dreamed by the Maharaja Bhagya Chandra. Basically, the parts below the neck until the feet are covered with cloth to hide the movements of the lower position of the body while dancing. This is to maintain purity of soul and dance in a performance. Below is a list of the costumes performers wear:
Potlei : Ras costume of Sri Radhika and the Gopis, designed by the Potlei-setpa's who rent them for the performance at some rates
Koknaam : a gauze, embossed with silver Jari
Meikhumbi: a transparent and thin veil thrown over the head
Kumin: an embroidered, brightly colored silk skirt
Pasuan: a short flair of silver gauze over the Kumin
Khaon: rectangular embroidered piece with belt
Koktombi: cap covering the head
Thabret: a griddle round the waist
Khangoi: small rectangular belt over the Pasuan
Leitreng: golden ring round the head
Chura: made with peacock feathers, wired on top of the head
Feichom: a saffron dress
Ghungur: ornament for the foot
Potlei : Ras costume of Sri Radhika and the Gopis, designed by the Potlei-setpa's who rent them for the performance at some rates
Koknaam : a gauze, embossed with silver Jari
Meikhumbi: a transparent and thin veil thrown over the head
Kumin: an embroidered, brightly colored silk skirt
Pasuan: a short flair of silver gauze over the Kumin
Khaon: rectangular embroidered piece with belt
Koktombi: cap covering the head
Thabret: a griddle round the waist
Khangoi: small rectangular belt over the Pasuan
Leitreng: golden ring round the head
Chura: made with peacock feathers, wired on top of the head
Feichom: a saffron dress
Ghungur: ornament for the foot
Music
Instruments play a crucial role in Manipuri. The musical accompaniment for Manipuri dance comes from a percussion instrument called the 'pung', a singer, small cymbals, a stringed instrument called the 'pena' and certain wind instruments. The lyrics used in Manipuri are usually from the classical poetry of Jayadeva, Vidyapati, Chandidas, Govindadas or Gyandas and may be in Sanskrit, Maithili, Brij Bhasha or others. The drummers are always male and undergo training. eventually leading to their own dance called 'Pung Cholom'.
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