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 Colourful and mesmerising Manipuri dances - Vijay Shanker e-mail: vijaydance@gmail.com September 27, 2023 In Manipur on every occasion, either social or religious, Manipuri dances are performed with a lot of enthusiasm and devotion. Manipuri dances are heavily based on Vaishnavism, hence Lord Krishna is the favourite god who is always portrayed and glorified. Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) presented the exquisite and colourful Manipuri dances 'Murali Manohar Shyam' by dancer Purbita Mukherjee and her disciples on 13th August at their mini theatre, the Cube. Besides the colourful costumes, it was interesting to watch the dances that were insightful and exciting, performed with abundant elegance and precision. The performance commenced with Mangalacharan, invocation to Lord Krishna, who is considered the embodiment of the four abhinaya that is inclusive of histrionic expressions, Geeta-the songs, Vadya - instrumental music and the pure technical dance. This was based on raag Macha and the Radha Krishna Sancha of Pung (drum) exposing the rhythm; this was a prologue to the actual performance that featured Purbita Mukherjee, Shrestha Bandopadhyaya (as Krishna), Anandita and Arundhita Datta and Sudipa Ray and compere Arpita Roy Datta.  Shrestha Bandopadhyaya as Krishna  Krishna Roop Varnan 'Krishna Roop Varnan' as the name suggests describes the beauty and glory of Lord Krishna, a composition by the veteran mentor Guru Bipin Singh and the music is based on the Vaishnav Sangeet Sastra, featuring taal kankan of 11 beats and 4 stress, taal tanchep of 4 beats and I stress and teen taal of 8 beats and 3 stress. With additional creative choreography by Bimbavati Devi, daughter of Guru Bipin Singh, this number has been further refurbished with more rhythmic movements, gliding and moving gracefully. Although there is variety in rhythmic patterns, at times it seems the technique is limited with repetitive movements. The piece-de-resistance of the evening was Nanichuri that featured the playful and naughty little Krishna performed well by Shrestha as Krishna and the Gopis. Krishna along with his elder brother Balaram steals butter during the absence of mother Yashoda, they break all the earthen pots that contain butter and run away when they hear the footsteps of Yashoda. This number combined two emotions, joy and fear and was enacted well. 'Pantha Jagoi' is a dance composition that explores the intense relationship of Radha and Krishna and is part of Nitya Raas of the five Raas Leelas that are performed in the Manipuri style, performed to taal tewra and 7 beats and 3 stress exposing the tandava and the lasya style of dancing.  Purbita and disciples in Vasant Raas The finale number was the Vasant Raas which is part of Raas Leelas and Sankirtan that forms the main repertoire of Manipuri dances. Performed on the full moon night of Chaitra Purnima that establishes the unique and spiritual bonding of Radha, Krishna and the Gopis, this dance is considered the purification of the soul that gives you endless spiritual joy and bliss, forming a fine conclusion to the Manipuri extravaganza.  Vijay Shankar is a Kuchipudi and Kathakali exponent, teacher, bilingual journalist, arts critic and actor. |
