Festival of Lai Haraoba begins
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 06 2014:
A five-day Festival of Lai Haraoba organised by Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy began from today at Ibudhou Chakkhaba, a site for religious rituals within the Academy's complex.
an annual event during which spiritual offerings are made and traditional dances performed, the Festival is said to be organised for wider knowledge of the pupils about Lai Haraoba, a component of the Academy curriculum.
The festival was inaugurated with JNMDA vice chairman Prof N Tombi Singh and Pandit Achouba Ng Kerani Singh as the chief guest and president respectively.
Advising the Academy pupils to ensure regular attendance during the Festival for better understanding of intricacies on the Lai Haraoba dances, Prof N Tombi said learning dance forms necessitates practical indulgence for lectures in the classroom vastly differs from actual performance.
Highlighting that Lai Haraoba is not confined to presentation of dances and ritualistic performances but encompasses literary essence, philosophy and origin of mankind, he also prevailed upon the academy students that a dance scholar should have comprehensive knowledge on various dance forms.
According to Pandit Achouba Ng Kerani, Lai Haraoba is generally classified as Kanglei, Chakpa, Moirang, Kakching and Andro Haraoba with each differing from the other.
Speaking at the occasion, JNMDA director L Upendra said students would be assigned to submit specific report on different aspects of Lai Haraoba and based on which prizes would be given.