Manipur Ras festival 2010, a feast to eyes

IMPHAL - Manipuri dance is one of the major Indian classical dance forms.

The cult of Radha and Krishna, particularly the Raslila, is central to its themes.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy in Imphal came alive for five days as brightly attired artists performed the ‘Maha Ras Lila’.

The legend goes that when Krishna, Radha and the Gopis danced the Ras leela, Shiva made sure that no one disturbed the magnificent dance.

Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva also wished to see this dance, so to please her, he chose the beautiful area of Manipur and re-enacted the Ras Leela.

Since then, the Ras Leela has been performed in the northeastern state of Manipur.

This year, all forms of Ras Lila - Vasanta Ras, Diva Ras, Nitya Ras, Kunja Ras and Maha Ras along with Sankirtans were collectively performed on a single platform.

The motive was to educate the youth about different dance forms.

Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy Director, Dilip Mayengbham said the event will facilitate the students.

“To facilitate to the students, teachers and experts, there will be discussion tomorrow, then there will be another form of Raas and there will be another discussion then, the philosophy, beauty, costumes, origin, originality will be discussed,” Mayengbham said.
Ten dance troupes and five sankirtana groups from across the state participated in the festival that also attracted many artists from remote areas.
The event aimed at supporting the artists who perform Ras Lila to ensure that the legacy of the great Gurus and dancers lives on for generations to come. he event inspired people to do productive activities like this.

“I want to convey good wishes to our brothers and sisters and we should turn our attention to such kind of activities and dance so that we all have a good and prosperous life,” said Hemabati.

The delicate movements, the music and the grace of the dancers marked the performance. (ANI)