JNMDA's Nongdol Leima – A modern version of Rasa Dance

Rajmani Aykepam *

'Nongdol Leima' : Dance drama at National Dance Drama and Ballet Festival at JNMDA Auditorium :: 22 May 2014 :: Pix - Daniel Chabungbam

Anybody who is familiar with Rasa dance of Manipuri classical dance feels that there's no growth in Manipuri classical dance since Rasa dance stand like a fix golden statue. Raas dance is neither improved nor disapproved dance form of Manipuri classical dance. Manipuri classical dance got its zenith through Rasa dance. So, any composer of Manipuri classical dance could not add any piece to Rasa dance or couldn't remove any piece from existing Rasa dance form.

The unique quality of Rasa dance is its spiritual quality not its attractive dance presentation. People who love to witness Rasa dance of its deep rooted spiritual quality. Even, die hard devotee of Rasa prayed to those artistes who acted in the role of Lord Krishna and Radha as spiritualism is deeply rooted in their heads.

Any composer or choreographer of Manipuri classical dance experiments their creativity in Solo dance or dance drama or ballet. Experimenting in Solo dance has limited scope to experiment their creativity. For a dance drama or ballet has given greater scope for experimenting creativity. So, to produce a dance drama or ballet is a big challenge to any composer or choreographer.

Any fortunate dance enthusiast of Manipuri classical dance who witnessed JNMDA's Nongdol Leima dance drama will feel that Nongdol Leima is one of the finest dance dramas in the art history of Manipur and will say Nongdol Leima is the modern version of famous Manipuri Rasa dance. The literary text of Nongdol Leima and Rasa are different in it's outward view but it has same structure in its inner vision.

I was one of the luckiest art lover of state to witness Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy's (JNMDA) latest production of Nongdol Leima dance drama on last May 21 as part of the Tarunkumar Fest – 2014 (First National Dance Drama and Ballet Festival) at Progressive Artiste Laboratory (PAL)'s complex of Lamboikhong-nangkhong, Uripok Kangchup Road, Imphal. The production was the exact replica of JNMDA's earlier production in the year 1976 when its creator Guru Thiyam Tarunkumar was alive. Even, main original cast of the ballet, Shri S. Ibopishak Singh and Smt. N (O) Amusana Devi didn't change in the role of Numit (Sun God) and Prithivi (Goddess Earth) even after the production was there before 30 years. The only changed in artistes in the role of Horses & Griha and few artistes in the role of Ritus.

The text of the ballet is itself a classic one. The Sun God is worshipped in every civilization of the world from time immemorial. Among them, according to Purusha Sukta of Rig Veda gives also the following lines – Seven mares draw you, O Lord / In your Chariot Sun Divine / O, Radiant one with hair aflame. The story of the dance drama began with Numit (Sun God) with all his golden splendor starts searching the Heavens of his beloved, the goddess Earth.

Sudden, a chorus a kind voices let him known that the Sun will find his beloved goddess only on earth. On hearing these voices the Sun descends on the earth. Numit met Prithivi at earth and attracted each other. But, they couldn't fulfill their love due to Numit's strong heat. Their love life can be fulfilled in the nightly only. They dance happily in the moonlight as like as Krishna and Radha performed Rasa dance on the day of full moon. Then, they feel pain of separation when dawn comes.

'Nongdol Leima' : Dance drama at National Dance Drama and Ballet Festival at JNMDA Auditorium :: 22 May 2014 :: Pix - Daniel Chabungbam

The literary text structure of Nongdol Leima is like as much as Rasa dance whose main characters are Lord Krishna and Radha as Numit and Prithivi. Ritus and horses or griha are like as Sakhis and Gopas of Lord Krishna and Radha. Their union is only at night like Krishna and Radha performed Rasa dance at night. After that, they were separated when dawn comes. Though, literary text of this dance drama is a love story like Rasa dance but it has full of spiritualism like Rasa dance. The unique quality of this dance drama is that any audience who witnessed this dance drama does not feel erotica but blossom with spiritualism.

In this dance drama, the relation between the Earth and the Sun may be viewed from a new perspective. The earth which is inhabited by beings and represents also possibly the earliest of the planets is supposed to the most excellent. Naturally relation grows between the Sun and the Earth is a spirit of attraction and repulsion in which the moon is also involved. From this perspective, Nongdol Leima has a modern outlook. Any audience can look Nongdol Leima as a modern dance drama.

The forms used in this dance drama maintained the classical tradition of Manipuri Nat Sankirtana and Rasa Leela. Different techniques and forms of Manipuri classical dance were used in this dance drama. Skillful used of Cholom and Manipuri martial art added to its beautiful look of this dance drama. On the other hand, modern choreography was also highlighted. Choreography was so compact and meaningful. And, beautiful Solo performance of few artistes can reach this dance drama at a new height. The unique characteristics in composition of this dance drama were skillful use of both left and right movements. Usually, the dance movement in Manipuri classical dance was only one way movement. Quick changing of costume among the artistes was another interesting thing to look at. Haunting music without any lyrical line of this dance drama was also another facet of beautiful look.

Though, Shri S. Ibopishak Singh and Smt. N (O) Amusana Devi in the role of Numit and Prithivi were little old to their roles but their performances were commendable ones. Performance of other artistes in the role of horses & griha and ritus were also commendable ones. The other off-stage artiste like costume designer and lighting designer were also worth to mention as the speed of this dance drama is so fast. It will be another taste if young and energetic artistes performed the same dance drama without changing any composition and choreograph.

Nongdol Leima was the one of the finest production of dance dramas produced by JNMDA in Manipuri classical dance style. Guru Tarunkumar, one of the finest exponents of Manipuri classical dance, used whatever his skill and experience of Manipuri classical dance in this dance drama. If any Manipuri dance enthusiasts may be rated Nongdol Leima as the modern version of famous Manipuri Rasa dance. It will be worth mention the effort by participating artistes led W. Lokendrajit Singh, production-in-charge of JNMDA.

See a complete photo gallery on Nongdol Leima here