ABSTRACT
Manipur is a state in north-eastern India with its capital in the city of Imphal. It is bounded by Nagaland in north, Mizoram in the south and Assam in the west, it also borders Myanmar on the east with an area of 22,327 sq. kms. and has a population of almost 3 million including the Meitei, who are the majority group in the state. The process if the formation of Meitei state under the Ningthouja dynasty coincided with the cultural and political absorption of various ethnic groups into the Meitei state. The numerous immigrants from many parts of India in successive periods gave an impetus to the Manipuri culture which was intermixed with Indian culture. Manipuri dances occupy a distinct place in the world of dances, crafts and arts of global repute. Manipuri dance forms most intricately and inseparably assimilated into the lifestyle of the people of Manipur who dance as a religious ritual to gain in lofty religious experiences.
