Dances of Manipur

Pung Cholom

Manipuri Maridanga or Pung is in the heart of Manipuri Sankritana music as well as Manipuri Classical Dance. It is an indispensible part of the socio- cultural and devotional ceremonies of Manipur. It has become a sort of ritual character for the people of Manipur, an object of reverence for them. Prior to the Ras Lila and Sankirtana, the performance of Pung Cholam is done for the invocation. This highly sophisticated classical dance number is characterized by the skillful sound modulation from whisper to the thunderous end. This dance form is a complex blend of rhythms with cross rhythms varies with time. The slow, quick and graceful movement of the body parts leads to some ecstatic height.

Ras Lila

Ras Lila is a famous form of folk dance of Manipur depicting the deep love of Radha and the attachment of the Gopis towards Krishna. This is generally enacted in front of a temple in an enclosure and enjoyed throughout the night. Ras Lila is a seasonal performance. It is first enacted at the Sheree Shree Govidajee temple in Imphal on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, Bashant Purnima and Sarad Purnima and then later at the local temples of the town and locality. The composition of Ras includes group dance, solo and duet performances with graceful dance movements and apposite costumes.