RAASLEELA 


Dance is the hidden language of the soul. The dance can reveal every thing mysterious that is hidden in music,and it has the additional merit of being human and palpable. dance is poetry with arms and legs.

Manipur also known as the jewelled state of India is not only famous for its natural beauty but also for its ethnic dance forms. In local language of Manipur dance is known as Jagoi.Some of the major dance forms of Manipur are Raas leela ,Khamba Thoibi ,Maibi Jagoi ,Thabal Chongba, Pung Cholam.

The Raas Leela is an important part of traditional Manipur culture and its uniqueness can be seen in every aspect of the dance forms be it the costume of the moves.Raas Leela tells us the story from the Indian mythology where Lord Krishna of  vrindavan playes flute at night for the love of his life Radha, Radha along with the Gopis join him and dance. Raas Leela symbolises the spiritual love of  Lord Krishna for his beloved  Radha . Raas Leela was first started as dance form by Rajashri Bhagya Chandra, Meitei monarch in 1779.The Manipur Raas Leela are of five kinds:Vasanta Raas,Maha Raas, Nitya Raas, Kunja Raas, and Diba Raas. Raas Leela is unique  not only in term of character but also costume.The look is indigenous and the costume consist of embroidered stiff skirt(poloi),light muslin  garment, on top white veil and traditional Manipiur  jewellery .


Khamba Thoibi


Khamba Thoibi jagoi is duet of male and female partner a dance of  dedication to the sylvan deity,Thanjging of Moirang.Khamba and Thoibi are two mythological characters who have become immortal in folklore.It is believed that  Khamba and Thoibi danced together before the Lord Thanjing  a celebrated deity of Moirang for the peace and prosperity of land. The attire of this dance are phanek,Rason furit,(blouse),a peace of shawl in their waist, Kajeng Lei and traditional meitei jewelleries for Thoibi and Dhonti,Inafi,choli for Khamba.


      Maibi Jagoi


Maibi Jagoi:  Maibi Jagoi is the ritual dance of  Manipur priestesses.It is performed during the festival Lai- Harouba.The maibi holds such item as breathtaking ceremony of the God  on the bank of a river, summoning its spirit in an earthen pot through nine threads and seven  threads for  God and  Goddess, a dance of the maibis holding the leaves of sacred  plant called Langthrei between fingers.


Thabal Chongba


Thabal Chongba is a popular Manipuri folk dance associated with the festival of Yaoshang.Thabal Chongba or dance by moonlight, is a dance in which the participants hold their hands in a circular accompanied by folk song.The music is Rythemic beating of drums accompanied by other instruments.It is performed in every  locality on all the five days of the festival.
Pung Chalom


The Pung Chalom is a unique classical dance of Manipur. it is the soul of  Manipur Sanskirtan.This dance may be performed by men and women and is usually prelude to the Raas Leela.The dancer play the Pung  and the dance at the same time.
         
   Manipuri dance or Manipuri jagoi is one of the major  Indian classical dance forms ,name after the region of the origin- Manipur. Thus, each and every dance form shows the ethnic culture of Manipur.