Guru Amubi National Classical Dance Festival

Rajmani Ayekpam *

Guru Maisnam Amubi popularly known as Guru Amubi, doyen of Manipuri classical dance is the most popular doyen among three doyens of Manipuri classical dance viz – Guru Amubi, Guru Atomba and Guru Amudon. He brought modern outlook to Manipuri dance by introducing the varied idea of Solo Dance.

Earlier, the idea of Solo Dance was not there in Manipuri classical dance. However, his vast of experience at outside Manipur like his association with famous Udhay Shankar at Almora, Uttarkhand might able be bring the idea of solo dance in Manipuri classical dance.

His famous composition 'Dasa Avaatar' may not equal par with any new composition in Manipuri classical solo dance. Dasa Avaatar is the ultimate test for every solo dancer of Manipuri classical dance how far he/she excelled in Manipuri classical solo dance.

Manipuri Jagoi Marup (MJM), the Alma Meter of Guru Amubi, organized Guru Amubi National Classical Solo Dance Festival-2015 from February 13 & 14, 2016 at MJM Complex, Lamboikhongangkhong, Imphal is very much worth mentioning programme to honour this great master of Manipuri classical dance. All together seven dancers from the State and other States participated in the festival.

Though Manipur is rich with dance and music but it has limited opportunity to witness all the classical dances both from outside and inside of Manipur. Bhagyachandra National Festival of Classical Dance is the only platform to witness all classical dances of India. But, the said festival was held once in every two years.

Few years back the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) organized a dance and music festival once in a year in spring time by participating good and celebrated artistes of dance and music from across the country. Solo dance festival organized by Manipur State Kala Academy (MSKA) was concentrated to only classical Manipuri solo dance. There's no space for other classical dance form of India.

PAL's Guru Tarunkumar National Festival of Ballet and Dance was also discontinued briefly. However, at this juncture, MJM's Guru Amubi National Classical Solo Dance Festival-2015 will give much awaited opportunity to the art loving people of this state to witness some of the best creams of classical solo dance of India.

All together 7 (seven) artistes of classical dance consisting five dancers from inside Manipur and two from outside Manipur participated in the said festival. During the festival solo performance of Kathak, Bharatnyatam, Odishi and Manipuri dance were seen.

That was a mini national festival of classical solo dance. Two male dancer of Manipuri, one male Kathak dancer, one Odishi and Bharatnyatam dancer each and two female Manipuri dancer performed there. After the formal inaugural ceremony, the first performance of the festival was classical Manipuri solo dance performance presented by Nongmaithem Jinen. Jinen, being an experience and senior dancer of Manipuri Jagoi Marup participated many dance festivals at National and International level and also recipient of gold Savita N. Mehta and Khukhur Sarkar gold medal in 1993 and Young Talent scholarship under HRD, Govt. of India.

He presented two solo dance pieces viz. Dasa Avaatar and Tanum. His performance was good but needs to improve using his bodyline. Sometimes, it felt his waist line was too steep. The next performance of the day was Kathak performance of Sandip Mallick. Being a disciple of renowned gurus of Kathak like Pt. Birju Maharaj, Pt. Rammohan Maharaj, Pt. Chitreash Das etc. Sandhip's performance was mentioned to worth.

His performance answer what his regular performance at various festivals of India and abroad like UK, USA, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Canada, Spain, Singapore and Bangladesh. His body control and skill in presentation deserved to mention. The third but last performance of the day was Manipuri classical solo performance of Sangeeta Thokchom.

Her performance was seen in the last Solo Dance Festival organized by Manipur State Kala Akademi, Imphal. There was improvement in her performance than the last performance but still needs to improve in body movement and gesture. Good body movement and gesture are very important for every solo dancer.

On the second and last day of the festival i.e. the 14th January, 2016, there were four solo dance performances. The first performance of the day was Manipuri classical solo dance presented by Ningombam Rina Devi.

She presented three Manipuri classical solo dances i.e. Guru Bandhana, Duti Sangbad and Birhot Utkhandi. Rina, being senior artiste of Manipuri Jagoi Marup and recipient of Young Talent Scholarship (Geet Govinda Solo) by Ministry of Human Resource, Govt. of India, participated many national and international festivals. Her performance was good but need to improve in her body movement and gesture. The next performance of the day was Odishi solo performance presented Aoka Kanungo.

Her performance was good and tried to attract attention of the audience by her strong body movement and gesture. What she lacks was graceful and modesty of Odishi dance based on bhakti. The third performance of the day was Bharatnyatam performance presented by Pukhrambam Tejpati Devi. Tejpati, being B High Artiste of AIR, Imphal and Diploma in Bharatnyam at Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai and gold medalist in Master of Dance at Manipur University presented many performances at national level. Her Bharatanyam performance was good but needs to perform other than her basic movement of the dance form. Audience like to see her own composition of Bharatnyatam.

The last performance of the festival was classical Manipuri solo dance performance presented by Manju Elangbam. Manju, being Ph.D. student at Vishwa Bharati University, West Bengal and part of the Guinness World Record for 26-hour non-stop dancing in connection with the 150th Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad in 2012 presented various solo performances at national and international levels.

He presented two dance items i.e. Kokil Priyataal and Shiv Tandav. His first item Kokil Priyataal was good and can attract attention of the audience. Manju's plus point as a dancer is his good looking and graceful gesture. But, his last item i.e. Shiv Tandav needs to rethinking and rework. In every classical dance form, any composition will be within the specific norms of that classical dance form. Music part was very poor and needs to rework. It needs to use skillfully the famous mantra of Shiv i.e. 'Mahamitanjoy'.