Manipuri Dancing – By Darshana Jhaveri.

Bordering the north east corner of India enclaved by the mountain ranges, between Assam and Burma, lies the tiny state of Manipur. The Bamboo thickets and banana groves dotted by placid lakes and innumerable temples make it truly an abode of Gods. Since days bygone, in nature’s beauty and bounty, the people of Manipur have cultivated a life merged in music and dancing. They have celebration of social functions having ceremonies like birth of a child, annaprasan (i.e. giving food for the first time to a child), Karnabhed (piercing the ears) upanayan (tread ceremony) marriage and death in which they dance and sing. Truly they believe themselves to be the descendents of Gandharvas (the celestial musicians and dancers). This belief in the ancient myth and legend is a guiding and preserving force of the noble heritage of the art of Manipuri dancing in its pristine purity. These dance and music are associated with religion, thereby enabling men to commune with God and feel harmonious with nature…

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