Manipuri dance
What is Manipuri dance?
How did Manipuri dance originate?
What are the characteristics of Manipuri dance?
What instruments are used in Manipuri dance performances?
Manipuri dance, one of the principal classical dance forms of India, having originated in the region of what is now the northeastern state Manipur. Traditionally performed as part of religious rituals and festivals, the dance form is devotional in nature and often portrays stories from the life of the Hindu god Krishna. Other Indian classical dance forms include bharatanatyam, kathak, kathakali, kuchipudi, odissi, mohiniyattam, sattriya, and chhau.
Origin and historical development
Roots
Manipuri dance began as part of traditional rituals and festivals of the region. Legend has it that the Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati witnessed Krishna and his beloved gopi (milkmaid) Radha’s divine dance on Earth. Moved by the steps, Parvati expressed a desire to dance with Shiva, who created a space for them to dance together. This moment is believed to have inspired the beginnings of Manipuri dance.
The oldest form of Manipuri dance is Lai Haraoba (“merrymaking of the gods”), a pre-Vaishnavite festival still practiced today. Maibas (“priests”) and maibis (“priestesses”) lead the performance of this ritual offering, which showcases the tale of cosmic creation.
Vaishnavite influence
In the 15th century the introduction of Vaishnavism—a tradition in Hinduism devoted to the worship of lord Vishnu and his avatars such as Krishna—brought themes of divine love, devotion, and spirituality into Manipuri dance. Under King Bhagyachandra in the 18th century, raslila—a dance practice centered on Krishna and Radha—was formalized. Later rulers expanded the dance form by adding new lilas (“dramas”) as well as rhythmic and melodic compositions. Manipuri dance gained wider recognition across India after 1917, when poet Rabindranath Tagore witnessed a performance and invited teachers to introduce the form at Visva-Bharati University at Shantiniketan.
Characteristics and forms
Manipuri dance is characterized by continuous, unbroken movement, in which gestures blend seamlessly with the body’s motion, often likened to the flowing Yamuna River. The dance form emphasizes sarvangabhinaya—expressing emotion by using the entire body—while mukhabhinaya (facial expression) remains natural and subtle. Unlike in other classical forms, dancers do not wear ankle bells because they interfere with the movements. Manipuri dance features elements of tandava (Shiva’s fierce, violent dance) and lasya (gentle, graceful dance) and combines elements of nritta (“pure dance”), nritya (“expressive dance”), and natya (“dramatic storytelling”).
Manipuri dance draws from several traditional forms, including:- Raslila: A devotional dance-drama featuring Krishna, Radha, and other gopis, with themes often revolving around divine love and separation
- Thang-ta: A martial dance rooted in self-defense traditions, involving weapons such as swords and spears, and performed as choreographed combat
Sankirtana is performed during significant life events such as childbirth, marriage, and funerals, while thang-ta is traditionally associated with funeral rites.
Performance elements
Music and instruments
The dance form is accompanied by a classical musical style known as nat, which is distinct from Hindustani and Carnatic systems. It features high-pitched open-throated singing with signature trills and modulations. Key instruments include the following:
- Pung: A barrel drum used in both raslila and sankirtana
- Pena: A bowed string instrument used in Lai Haraoba
- Kartal: Small cymbals for rhythmic accompaniment
Ashtapadis (poetic compositions comprising eight stanzas) from poet Jayadeva’s Gitagovinda (“Song of the Cowherd [Krishna]”) are popular and frequently performed.
- Related Topics:
- natya
Manipuri dance has gained international acclaim through cultural diplomacy and global festivals. Notably, a 2018 commemorative stamp issued jointly by India and Armenia featured Manipuri raslila alongside the Armenian dance Hov Arek, symbolizing shared cultural pride. Among other international performances, the dance has been featured at the Asian Games opening ceremony in Seoul in 1986 and the London International Festival of Theatre in 1989.
Attire and aesthetics
Costumes in Manipuri dance are traditional, reflecting the cultural heritage of the region. Female dancers wear the kumil—a cylindrical embroidered skirt with a white muslin overlay—paired with a velvet blouse and a translucent veil. The costume enhances the dancer’s flowing movements and silhouette. Male dancers wear a dhoti with a velvet jacket or kurta, and when portraying Krishna they wear a crown of peacock feathers. Jewelry includes finely crafted necklaces, earrings, and bangles. Performers often use white chalk or rice powder to draw fine designs on the face. Female dancers typically arrange their hair in braids or decorative styles, finished with flowers and ornaments.