A day full of dance and music

Rajmani Ayekpam *

'Khulung Eshei' Bedabati & her party performed at 3rd Khundongbam Brojendro Theatre Festival 2014 (January) :: Pix - Ashok Ningthoujam

On last 25th December of the last year, i.e. 2014, the day was one of the busiest days of my day today affairs but a memorable day in my life. The day was generally a holiday, i.e. Christmas was observed all over the world. But, for me any holiday is meant for the day for my creative activities or extra-curricular day other than my normal duties. To any office goers, a holiday is one of the precious days in life.

The whole morning was involved with my domestic work like washing of clothes, cleaning of toilet other than my normal duty of writing and reading in the morning. My creative experience began with a lecture programme on Manipuri classical dance by Ranjit Adhikarimayum as part of 60-Day Advance Training Course of Manipuri Classical Dance at 2.00 p.m. on the premises of Dance Drama Music Repertoire Union (DDMRU)'s Rehearsal space which is situated at Iroishemba Mamang Leikai, opposite to Moirangthong, Uripok Kangchup Road, Imphal West. Shri Meisnam Kaminikumar Singh, Retd. Principal, JNMDA, Imphal was the moderator of the lecture programme.

Manipur is famous for its dance and music. Lot of creative activities was done by a large number of artistes. But, an academic approach to Manipuri dance and music is a rare incident. However, some enthusiastic art lovers attempted on this line occasionally. After, Manipur University and Santiniketan, West Bengal introduced Ph.D. programme in Manipuri dance and music make an outlet to ascent at a higher level. Many aspiring young research scholars do their research work in many aspects of Manipuri dance and music. However, these opportunities were limited to few good ones.

Ranjit Adhikari's talk on Manipuri classical dance on that day was an attempt to academic approach on Manipuri classical dance and very much benefited to some research scholars who had participated and also dance enthusiasts. The lecture focused on what were root of Manipuri classical dance and what were the correct postures since postures of Manipuri classical dance were corrupted day by day as assimilation from other classical dance form of India like Kathak, Bharatnaytam etc.

Since Chali is the root of Manipuri classical dance so any composure or dancer need to know what were the different kinds of chalis in Manipuri dance and what the correct posture of chali was. To know where to put body's centre of gravity while presenting his / her giving performance is very important. Such important things were discussed in his talk. Most of dancers who were very popular in presenting compose dance were not interested in these basic things in Manipuri classical dance. So, corrupt in Manipuri classical dance is very much there.

DDMRU's 60-Day Advance Training Course of Manipuri Classical is a good ground for young scholars who had participated. It will helpful to their research work. On the other hand, it will make an outlet for any enthusiast who had hungry for academic side of Manipuri classical dance.

My next tour of day's programme was to witness SHEISHAKKOL (Bedabati Khunung Eshei Sheidamsang)'s Liklam-2014 which was a production of 3 months course on Manipuri Folk Music under the guidance of Oja Lourembam Bedabati. After the finished of DDMRU's lecture programme I hurriedly went to Manipur Dramatic Union to witness the said musical programme. The musical programme was exotic and full of vigour.

A group of talented boys and girls gave resilient performance of Manipuri folk music and entertained the enthusiastic crowds. Loktak Sheitha Eshei not only entertained the audiences but also gave a good message on our environment. Loktak is the biggest fresh water lake in the whole north-eastern India. Both, Loktak Lake play an important part in our mythological literature and our environment.

Nine incarnations of Moirang Kangleiron stand an important part in our literature. Khamba Thoibi Sheireng written by Hijam Anganghal widely recognized as an epic. Without Loktak Lake the whole ecology of this state will a horrible one. Many researchers study Loktak's ecology and got many degrees and awards. The performance of Loktak Sheitha Eshei on that day was a commendable one from the angle of musical performance and environmental side.

Leirol is the best form of Manipuri folk music. It tells many stories of indigenous flowers of Manipur. Botanist study flowers from the scientific angle. But Singers of Manipuri folk music study from the angle of our folklore. The performance of Leirol on that day not only entertained the crowds but also gave a strong message on rare species of our indigenous flowers. Many of us are not aware accompanied story of our indigenous flowers. But, Leirol tells many accompanied stories of indigenous flowers. Leirol is not only a unique form of Manipuri folk music and a good oral literature of study.

The last performance of the day was Khunung Eshei participated by male and female singers of Sheishakkol. The vigorous but exotic performance of Khunung Eshei by talented male and female singers fully entertained the enthusiastic crowds. Who says folk music is boring, is for old generations? Modernization in presentation is very much for any performing art. The talented artists of Sheishakol intelligently transformed the taste of Manipuri folk with new look and taste.

At the end of day, I was a satisfied audience.