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 Binodini-The beautiful one - Tapati Chowdhurie e-mail: tapatichow@yahoo.co.in Photos courtesy: Priti Patel February 15, 2023 Binodini, the beautiful one, is a tribute to Maharajkumari Binodini Devi of Manipur, mentor and guide to Manipuri dance exponent Priti Patel who is a disciple of Guru Bipin Singh. With this production, Priti paid her obeisance to her on her centenary year. A litterateur and scholar par excellence, Maharajkumari Binodini Devi has many accolades and awards for her writings, including the Sahitya Akademi award and the Padma Shri to her credit. Her stories have been made into award winning films, national and international.  A scene from Binodini She was instrumental in shaping Priti Patel's thoughts and perspective towards classical Manipuri dance. She opened her mind to absorbing new ideas and taught her to live in the present, while at the same time to remember our rich cultural past and its outstanding legacies which include Manipuri dance and music traditions of the Sankirtana and Rasleela of the temples, of the ancient ritualistic Lai Haraoba and the dynamic Martial Arts of Manipur. Maharajkumari Binodini Devi has played no mean role in giving shape to Priti's choreographic prowess - many of her scripts has been written by her. Her love for orchids was instilled in Priti's mind. This production combined orchids with all that is beautiful in Manipur. Orchid or Urei known for their exotic lady-like beauty and grace was Maharajkumari's favourite. Her love for orchids and their importance in the dance rituals of Manipur was passed on to Priti, her ardent admirer. Of the hundreds of species of orchids in Manipur, each orchid has a story to tell. The different hues of orchids are associated with the various cultural practices of the state. The weaving of a beautiful tapestry with orchids and the aesthetic sensibilities of Maharajkumari told the entire story of Manipur. Priti Patel's choreographic marvel centering around orchids took a round of all the unique and institutionalized art forms of the state. Using orchids as motifs, the production captured the essence of all art forms of Manipur which are intricately connected with the life of the people of Manipur. It encapsulated the entire story of Manipur in one canvas from ancient times to the present day.  Priti Patel in Binodini For example, Nachom lei stands for devotion and is offered as Pushpanjali at Sri Govindaji temple - it is the beautiful red orchid which finds itself at the feet of Lord Krishna and Radha in the Rasleela in total submission of the soul merging with the universal soul, atma and paramatma. Here we found Priti's female disciples enter the proscenium stage adorned with red barrel shaped drum like, long stiff skirts with decorative embellishments wearing dark-coloured velvet blouses with their faces veiled, in love dalliance with Krishna in Rasleela, which made its way to Manipur at the advent of Vaishnavism in the medieval period exuding the typical flavour of the state, where art is a way of life. Kwaklei, the strong purple orchid, is the insignia of the Thang Ta martial art warriors, a symbol of strength, valour and sacrifice. Melei Leisnat - the symbol of Leisna splendour of Ebudhou Thangjing at Moirang - the mesmerizing golden orchid offered at the temple of Lai Thangjing at Moirang, also a symbol of love and romance where the lover gifts this to his beloved. Different coloured orchids symbolize different forms of art that exist in Manipur such as the Lai Haraoba - an ancient form that has always been there in Manipur. Natasankirtana - a Manipuri congregational high-pitched open throated singing style with trills and modulations accompanied by dance. Festivals such as the Ratha yatra are associated with orchids too. Orchids and Manipur are two sides of the same coin. These and other stories of orchids and the request of Maharajkumari herself to make a production centering around orchids was the reason behind this production.   Pung cholom Right at the start, an auspicious aura was created by the typical double conch blowing in the fashion of Manipur. The various drum dances, pung cholom, dholak cholom, executed by trained drummers forming geometric patterns involving various kinds of jumps both in slow and fast speed to finally throw their turbans off their heads demanding ovation from the audience were works of great finesse and skill. It was a treat to see the restrained manner of Manipuri dance - jagoi - with no eye contact with the audience, dancing continuously in circular movements merging into one another with no bells adorning their ankles - a style Priti has imbibed from Guru Bipin Singh. It was fascinating to see hand gestures gel gently with the movements.  Thang-ta The typical sound of Pena music associated with Manipuri dance form practically transported Manipur to G.D. Birla Sabhagar, Kolkata - conceptualized and choreographed by Priti Patel with Imocha Singh and S. Karuna Devi helping her in choreography. Dinesh Singh's lighting helped in enhancing the beauty of the piece. Biswajeet Prasad was in charge of sound. Lyricist and dramaturg M. Mangangsana was assisted by W. Surajkumar and K. Ratan Singh in its composition. Costumes were by S. Karuna Devi. Compere Oindrilla Dutt was at her best.  The beautiful one - Binodini Performers Priti Patel, S. Karuna Devi, L. Julia Devi, M. Mangangleima, M. Nongdambichanu, M. Saitabala, N. Jasika and P. Nongpoknganbi along with Pena and dancer M. Mangangsana and Pung by K. Ratan Singh, C. Bikram Singh, A. Ibomcha Singh, N. Surjit Singh, T. Nanao Singh and Thang Ta dancers Th. Imocha Singh, K. Sushil Singh, N. Rishikanta Singh and Rober Meitei mesmerized the rasikas with their renditions. W. Surajkumar and W. Gunchenbi were the excellent vocalists.  Tapati Chowdhurie trained under Guru Gopinath in Madras and was briefly with International Centre for Kathakali in New Delhi. Presently, she is a freelance writer on the performing arts. |
