JNMDA's Festival of Ras

By Rajmani Ayekpam *

Though Manipuri classical dance is famous for its beautiful sublime form but the people of this State has little chance to witness it. Ras is the backbone of Manipuri classical dance. Usually, Ras performed in its specific day and timing. So, one wish to witness Ras he/she has to wait specific day and timing. For example, one who wishes to witness Maharas, Kunja Ras and Vasanta Ras has to wait Karlik Purnima, Ashwin Purnima and Vasanta Purnima respectively.

On the other hand, Manipuri classical dance is very much associated with religion. Vaisnav religion plays a very important part of the Ras so that Nata Sankirtana Nupa Pala preceded before every Ras performance. The text of Ras comes out of yoke of Shri Bhagawat's Ras Panchadhyay. So, Vaisnavism is closely related with Manipuri classical dance.

Meanwhile, Jawaharal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) offered a much awaited opportunity to dance enthusiasts of the State. The five-day festival of Ras was organised by Jawaharalal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy from April 7 to 11, 2010 at its mandhav. During the festival, all the five precious Ras were shown without any nuisance. And five different Nata Sankirtana groups of different parts of the State presented Nata Sankirtana Nipa Pala before every Ras.

On the first day, just after the opening ceremony, Arts and Cultural Academy, Thoubal presented Nata Sankirtana Nupa Pala before Vasanta Ras. After that Sangeet Academy, Kakching performed Vasanata Ras. Vasanta Ras is performed only on the full moon of Vasanta Purnima which is one of the three original Ras developed by Rajarshi Bhagyachandra.

Whatsoever, the 7th day of April falls on Vasanata Purnima or not the performance of Vasanta Ras presented by Sangeet Academy, Kakching was vibrant and enchanting. The lucky audience of the day can suck pure nectar inherited by Vasanta Ras. However, the artiste played in the role of Lord Krishna's childhood period was little bigger than what is mentioned in the Ras Panchadhyay of the Shri Bhagawat. This makes little uncomfortable to the audience when the Ras was performed in the Singar ras.

Shree Shree Govindajee Nartanalaya, Government Dance College, Imphal presented Diva Ras on the second day of the festival. The Nata Sankirtana Nupa Pala performed by Sawombung Sangeet Samaj, Sawombung preceded the Diva Ras. The uniqueness of Diva Ras is it can be performed during the day time while other Ras are performed during the night time only. Diva Ras is the latest Ras among five other Ras and based on Norottom Thakur's Lalsa. The hunting sound of Sutradhars and exotic dance performance can easily won attention of the audience. However, this day also, artiste played in the role of Lord Krishna was little bigger.

On the third day of the festival, Awang Sangeet Sabha, Awang Potshangbam presented Nupa Pala before the Nitya Ras performed by Manipur Jagoi Marup. Nitya Ras was first introduced by Maharaj Chandrakirti and later on Maharaj Churachand perfected it.

The performance of Jagoi Marup didn't disappoint audience expected by the audience. Manipuri Jagoi Marup is the oldest dance group among non­Governmental dance groups of the State. The child artiste (S. Linda) in the role of Lord Krishna can attract attention of the audience with her exotic and flawless dance performance. Among five participant groups, age of Krishna's role is more appropriate to the Jagoi Marup.

Public Theatre Artistes Association, Nambol presented Kunja Ras on the fourth day of the festival. The Nupa Pala Sankirtana performed by the Indra Kala Bbavan, Moirang preceded the Kunja Ras. It was stunning performance but the artiste in the role of Lord Krishna's childhood period was little bigger so that it makes little uncomfortable to look at when performance was based on the Singar ras.

On the last day of the festival, Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) presented both performance of Nupa Pala Sankirtana and Maharas. Maharas is the best and perfection among other four Ras. So, performers and devotees took very much care when they performed Maharas. The performance of Nupa Pala and Maharason that day couldn't come to the level expected by the audience.

JNMDA is the best cultural institution in the whole Northeast financed by such a big institution like Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. All the cream artistes cornered around the JNMDA. Most of the stalwarts in the field of dance and music of this State directly or indirectly associated with JNMDA. The maximum number of Sangeet Natak Akademi awardees were coming from the gurus and artists of the JNMDA. So that regular spectators of this five-day festival of Ras expected much from the artistes of JNMDA.

Most of the Nupa Pala groups participating this Ras festival had more interest in acrobatic performance to get attention of the audience. It's very difficult to catch attention of audience by simple singing of their Sankirtana songs. So, they emphasised more in acrobatic movement and hard heating of drums. Such type of performance from Nupa Palas makes to reduce the spiritual quality of Ras. If such Ras festival held in next time it is better to advice to tone down acrobatic performance of the Nupa Pala.

Another interesting side is most of the artistes who acted in the role of Lord Krishna are little bigger so that it reduces sanctity of the philosophy coupled with Ras. Even, the dance form is based on singar ras the philosophy behind it, is Bhakti. In order to maintain bhakiti ras, the artist who acted in the Lord Krishna, is generally a small child who do not injected worldly affairs into their brain.

The JNMDA's mandhav which performed Ras is not an appropriate place to hold festival of Ras. Ras is a kind of dance form which is very much close to religion and a lot of ritualistic functions are needed before and after a Ras. Even, ritualistic functions are started one day before the actual day of Ras performance. Lord Gouranga Mahaprabhu is courting at mandhav which Ras is performed at. Nupa Pala is a part of Nata Sankirtana which is performed before a Ras. Just before the end of a Ras there is Arati.

Ras concluded with a spiritual note. So, the performance of Ras is more appropriate to the Govindhaji temple or Radha-Krishna temple. Any performance of Ras other than Govindhaji temple or any other Radh-Krishna temple loses its spiritual quality. There are so many temple in and around of Imphal city. JNDMA can arrange Govindhaji temple or any Radha­Krishna temple for this festival to maintain sanctity of Ras.

Celebrating festival of Ras at any mandhav is simply showing its form and not its correlated spiritual quality. To reach grass root level is more important than just showing its form to well wishers. Commoners consider Ras as a part of their life so that they participate in any Ras performed at their locality. Enthusiastic parents send their wards to participate Ras as a part of their devotion to the God and not simply to join a dance performance.

To witness all five Ras at one place is an opportunity. In order to witness all five Ras one has to spend a lot of time and money. However, JNMDA's festival of Ras not only fulfilled eagerness of the audience but also to maintain rich tradition of Ras. To understand the true spirit of Ras among commoners other than dance enthusiasts is a big job of JNMDA. We should acknowledge efforts done by new working committee of the JNMDA. While organising a lot of festivals by JNMDA it is needed to develop academic input in Manipuri classical dance.

The brochure distributed in connection with this festival of Ras needs some correction before it is distributed to other part. Whether it is printing mistake or factual error it will be a document to any person who does not have earlier knowledge of Ras. It should be careful to produce any brochure in connection with a festival.

To produce a brochure hastily gave a wrong signal to others. For the coming festivals some persons should be engaged for publishing brochure other than persons who involve in the actual performance of festival.

Browse a Related Galleries on this Dance Festival here.