Narmada CO
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 02 2014 :
Narmada Cultural Organisation, Khoyathong Polem Leikai, held its 10th Foundation day today at Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy.
Dignitaries present during the foundation programme were Dr Thokchom Meina, Hon'ble Member of Parliament; Dr RK Nimai Singh, IAS, Commissioner, Art and Culture; Hijam Tombi Singh, former VC, Manipur University.
Founder secretary of Narmada Cultural Organisation, Khumanthem Narmada Devi (46) is the third of six children bom to (L) Ibotombi Singh - an Engineer by profession, and (L) Bidhumukhi Devi - a Nat Sankirtan artiste, of Khoyathong Polem Leikai.
A keen dancer from the early age, Narmada's choice of profession is said to have taken shape since she started performing at temples and Mandaps at several places of the State before undertaking formal lesson in Manipuri dance by joining the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy at the age of 11 .
A Diploma Course holder from the Academy, Narmada's first performance outside Manipur was in 1979 when she was a member of a ballet group that staged 'Kong Hangoi' at Anand Bhavan of then Calcutta in connection with the Children's Day celebration under the leadership of MK Binodini Devi.
Besides her training in Classical Manipuri Dance, she also recieved five years training in theatre under the guidance of Lokendra Arambam Aryan Theatre and Ratan Thiyam of Chorus Repertory Theatre.
A widely travelled dancer, Narmada was a choreographer of 'Billy Bhagat' play staged at a National School of Drama workshop held in Bhopal in addition to being a member of the cultural troupe that performed at the New Delhi Asian Games (1982) .
Narmada is also a widely acclaimed performer of Maibi Jagoi, Kabui dance, Lai Haraoba, Bamboo Dance.
Basanta Raas and fusion dances.
Pancha Tal, which she performed today, has been described as a creation of the five talas of Menkup, Ektaal, Daskush, Lapat and Taanchap.