An evening with Manipuri dance

Rajmani Ayekpam
The evening had lot of chit-chat among family members like between grandfather / grandmother and grandchildren, between aunt and niece, between father / mother and their children about day’s dance performance after the programme. There was so much of fun and smile on their faces. It indicates that they were satisfied with day’s dance performance. I never saw such type of dance performance which gathers a large number of family members for any dance performance and they were content with their ward’s performance. The day’s dance performance was not only for the presentation of few dance items but the day’s dance performance was also the best platform to show their skill in dance and music. Generally, a dance programme was concentrated only too few enthusiasts. But, the dance programme was a very good social gathering.
On last 6th May, 2019, the Lianda Folk & Classical Academy, Nagamapal Soyam Leirak, Imphal organized the Closing Function of the One Month Workshop & Production of Manipuri Dance for Children at the auditorium of the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) under the financial assistance of Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. The programme was mainly to show what workshop participated child artiste to learn from the Workshop. A good number of dance performance like Yakairol by Khaidem Lanchenbi, Gostha Leela by Lanchenbi Laishram, Dhonika Gurumayum, RK Tamphamani, Yaichenbi Angom,, Roslin, Dolly M, Panthoi Chungkham, Athoibi Sagolsem, Vendy Thounaoja, Huidrom Lanchenbi, Kenu Kangujam, Maibi Jagoi by N. Sanathoi Devi, Ph. Triti Devi, L. Lanchenbi Devi, Ng. Pridila Devi, Lai Haraoba by S.Albika Devi, L. Lingjen Devi, M. Daina Devi, M. Subashini, H. Shima Devi, Lairenlakpam Angelina Devi, Th Shalini Devi, Verina Lairenlakpam, Th.. Khristina Devi and L. Jenitha Devi, Krishna Abhisar by L. Lanchenbi Devi, Panthoibi Langol by T. Tanushree Devi, Kom Dance by Tereskova Waikhom, Olevia Aishem, Priticia Mutum, Gurumayum Italy, Samurailatpam Velentina, Jayashri Longjam, Pheirooijam Ariya, Athoibi Sagolsem, Veniya Salam, Kh. Cheris, Rahul Adhikarimayum, K. Matouleibi, H. Lanchenbi, Ch. Ningthibi, Prticiala Ngariyanbam, Konjengbam Tanisa, Helena Lairenlakpam and Bendi Thounaojam and last one Mao Dance by Nameirakpam Trinity, Angelina Chirom, Th. Einstein, Elita Toijam, Tejashress Toijam, Tonia Mutum, Shania Ayekpam, S. Lidiya Devi, Kh. Lanchenbi, Yaiphabi, Yaiphabi Heisnam, Khaidem Saphina, Irengbam Roshita, S. Rushonia, Sentolly Nontmaithem, M. Behigyabati Devi, Thoibisana Kshetrimayum, Angelina Atom, Huidrom Nandini Devi, Nandita Ayantica, Atom Kritiva, Nongmaithem, Jenibi Laishram and Kenu Kangujam.
Supporting or off stage artistes like Pebam Chingsanglakpa, L. Naophangba Singh and H. Nandita Devi (Make-up), A. Raju & Shachibala (Costume), Keshwori (Light), Metro Sound Sagolband (Sound), Motibas Singh (Transportation), Aka Vision (Documentation), Lianda FCA (Production), I. Robert Singh (Music Arranger), Romen Meitei (Flute), I. Robert Singh (Pung), Y. Geetarani Devi (Singer), Irom Robert Singh (Music Director), L. Shanti Meitei (Stage Manager), S. Sharat Singh (Production Manager) and A. Raseswori Devi (Choreography & Project Director) etc. supported the dance programme. One important and interesting point of the programme was that all the workshop participant children were small children. They are future of the Manipuri performing arts. Though Manipur is rich in dance and music but there is hardly any institute who whole heartedly dedicated to the promotion of children’s dance and music. Almost all the governmental and non-governmental institutes of dance and music are more interested in the adult performer. But, Lianda Folk & Classical Academy dedicated to the promotion of  children’s dance and music. Their working style was done mainly on the Sunday and other holiday of the week and organized month long workshop during summer and winter holiday of a year not to disturb general education of the participated children. That’s why Lianda Folk & Classical Academy is so popular among guardian and children of the state.
It’s interesting to mention a brief sketch of Lianda Folk & Classical Academy. The Lianda Folk & Classical Academy was established in the year 2nd February, 2001 under the dynamic leadership of Smt. A. Raseswori Devi with reverent aspiration and hopes for preservation and development of classical and tradition folk art of Manipur. The institution aim at to give training and imparting knowledge of folk and classical art and philosophy in various forms to the young enthusiastic youths of all the works of the living exponents on Manipuri folk dance and to research on the arts philosophy.
Since its inception the academy has ventured to run a regular three year course on Manipuri classical dance. The academy has produced many upcoming artistes. Most of the qualified students have participated in many events in local, regional, national and international level. In short, the contribution of the institution to the promotion of Manipuri classical & folk dance in national mainstream is remarkable.
The Academy participated various festivals at State, National and International levels like Solo Dance Festival organized Manipur State Kala Akademi (2015,2017), JNMDA Raas Festival (2017), International Dance Festival organized by ISCON, Imphlal 2010), National Ballet and Dance Drama Festival at Imphal (2014); Khajuraho Festival (2001, 2012), Lokrang Festival Bhopal (2003, 2004, 2012), Singhasath Kala Utshav, Ujjain (2004) ; Surin International Folklore Festival, Thailand (2016), Folk and Classical Dance, Congo (2016), Classical Solo & Group Dance, Rangoon (2017) etc. The academy accredited two production of dance drama i.e. Avaas (2015) and Bhagirathi Ganga (2017).
The important thing of this one month workshop & production of Manipuri dance for children is to give a platform for participation of large number of children to learn and show their talent in the field of Manipuri dance and music. Perhaps, these trainee children may become best performer of the Manipuri dance and music. They are the future of Manipuri culture and dance & music in particular.
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