Manipuri

One of the classical dance forms of
India; some of the others are
Bharatanatyam, Orissi, Kuchipudi,
Kathak, and Kathakali. Like much of
traditional Indian culture, classical
dance shows strong regional identification; Manipuri is found only in the state
of Manipur, nestled between Burma and
Assam in eastern India. Developed in
the eighteenth century, Manipuri
reflects the importance of Vaishnava
devotionalism. One of the principal
420
Manikkavachakar
dance genres involves acting out
episodes from the life of the god
Krishna, especially the Ras lila and his
dalliance with his lover Radha. In other
genres dancers play a two-headed drum
or cymbals, leaping dramatically during
the performance. This form has roots in
devotional Vaishnavism, particularly the
ecstatic singing and dancing associated
with the Gaudiya Vaishnava community
in Bengal. For further information see
Mohan Khokar, Traditions of Indian
Classical Dance, 1984.