ABSTRACT

Manipuri dance is one of the major classical dance form in South Asia and occupies a place of pride along with dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi and Odishi. Manipuri School of dance can be characterized into two forms: indigenous (folk) and classical. Both forms are devotional in nature and performed at appropriate time and place. Dances are not merely recreational activity, but a way to please the divine. Lai-Haraoba is a Pre-Vaishnavite traditional festival of Manipur. The original source prescribing the procedure for the Lai-Haraoba ritual is found in an ancient Puya text “Lai Hoi Laoba” written in the archaic scripts. The chapter describes in details all four type of Lai-Haraoba. With the advent of Hinduism in Manipur, a new era for the dances and music of Manipur emerged. Vishnu temple at Bishnupur, Manipur was established in 1467A.D. Manipur adopted Vaishnavism as a state religion. King Bhagyachandra (1763–1798 A.D) designed the first Ras Leela Dance and introduced it to the public at Langthabal palace in 1779 A.D. The supreme flowering of the Vaishnavite culture commenced with Nata Sankirtana, Ras Leelas and others Leelas associated with the Bhagavata tradition during the reign of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra. Manipuri dance form, both pre-Vaishnavite and post-Vaishnavite, is variegated and weaves elegance with complexity, hand gestures with body movements and devotion with desire.