Raseswari Pala heralds a new message of love and Unity among the Meiteis/Meeteis of Myanmar
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Yangon, October 12 2014: A women team of 'Raseswari Pala' from Manipur has been in Mandalay of Myanmar since October 7 to showcase the beautiful Nat Sankirtan art form exclusively performed by women.

The group comprising 18 ladies under the leadership of noted social activist Dr.Ch.

Jamini, President of Raseswari pala Marup performed the Sankirtan at Bamon Khunjao and Minde Ekin of Mandalay where a mammoth enthusiastic Meitei/Meetei crowd gathered.

The troupe would perform at Saigang of Mandalay on October 14 evening in the Meitei village.

The team accompanied by R.K.Shivachandra, president of Indo Myanmar Fraternal alliance had left for Mandalay of Myanmar where over 6000 Meitei are inhabiting on October 5 last.

Raseswari Pala heralds a new message of love and Unity among the Meiteis/Meeteis of Myanmar

"We are one and genetic bond that we share and grow together cannot be separated so long as we keep intact the culture and its root within us.

If we continue to dear our culture and uphold the spirit on being Meitei we would continue to stake our own claim" said team leader by Dr.Jamini.

The team has now moved to Yangon where they will have an interaction with the Meitei populace in Yangon and a Sankritana would be performed at Shee Kalachand Sharma Mandav, the last Meitei ritual performing shrine in Yangon.

Raseswari Pala of Manipur is a typical Nat Sankritana form meant exclusively for women.

It was established by the princess Bimbawati popularly known as Sija Laioibi, daughter of Manipur Emperor Rajshree Bhagyachandra.

It was the first ever Nupi Pala founded in the history of Manipur.

A committed devotee the princess was to the God and her whole life had been a symbol of dedication and love.

Her sacrifice and devotion to Shree Govindajee was so profound and unique that she maintained celibacy throughout her life only to be remaining committed into the glorification of the Govindajee.

The Raseswari Pala was her creation that she persuaded her father King to form a Nat Sankritana band (Pala) exclusively for women that she along with her followers perform the Sankritana in the holy shrine of Govindajee to enshrine the devotion that she cherished in her life.

An exclusive Sankritana group for women which had been considered absurd by the then Mahasabha in the King's Darbar, was later approved by the Mahasabha to her plea.

Raseswari Pala is still in intact, the old aged tradition and its unique form has been flourishing till this day.

The Sankritana form had been handed down from generation to generation and from strength to strength among the royal clans of fairer sexes of Manipur till today.

Raseswari Pala had travelled around the globe mostly to the places where Meiteis/Meeteis scattered.

.The contingent, besides visiting Meetei localities, also visited Kalay Universities and Budhists pagodas and other historical monuments that stood the test of time for over the centuries.

The contingent also called on some important personalities in Myanmar and many of them were optimistic in strengthening the bilateral ties with Myanmar and India.

The group held high expectation that their visit to Myanmar has wholly benefited.

Meanwhile, Shree Thangjam Bimolchandra a promoter and an enthusiast of the Sankritana donated a sum of Rs.8,000 to the office bearers of Meitei Library in Minde Ekin so that they could purchase one more bookshelf of the library.

Mr.Bimolchandra while donating the amount had opined his view that every Manipuri visiting Mandalay should carry along books worth reading by the Meitei generation of Myanmar which is struggling against extinction for want of proper parental guidance from Manipur.