Ballet Academy brings global dance dreams to state
Source: Chronicle News Service / Longjam Arishrona

Imphal, May 09 2025: Known for its rich art and cultural heritage, Manipur has consistently produced artistes who not only make their mark individually but also elevate the state's presence on the global cultural map.

Adding to this legacy is the Imphal Russian Ballet Academy, a dance institution striving to bring the global elegance of ballet to Manipur by nurturing young talents to perform this classical European dance form, distinguished by its pointe shoes and tiptoe movements.

Though ballet and Manipuri classical dance are vastly different in origin and technique, both are refined expressions of art.

Ballet, which originated in Italy and France during the 15th and 16th centuries, is a disciplined and codified performance art known for its narrative storytelling through graceful, structured movements of hands and legs - especially its signature movement of dancing on the tips of the toes.

Today, ballet is not only a globally admired art form but also increasingly gaining popularity in India, moving beyond the metro cities.

Now, Imphal has joined the map with its own academy dedicated to this classical form.

Located at Fairyland, Dingku Road, opposite ISBT, the Imphal Russian Ballet Academy was founded in 2024 by Zingrin Muivah.

Speaking to The People's Chronicle, she shared her journey that began in 2001 at the age of five.

She trained under Galina Lyakhoba of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture, Delhi, for 10 years, followed by training in Vaganova technique, an established Russian ballet method.

She then served as an assistant teacher to her mentor for seven years before returning to her home state with a mission to make ballet accessible to state children.

The academy offers ballet training to children starting from the age of three.

Its first batch comprises 45 students, all girls.

However, Zingrin emphasised that ballet is not a female-exclusive dance.

"It's a wrong notion to associate ballet only with girls," she said, adding that male dancers are especially important in higher grades, where ballet is often performed in pairs.

Zingrin is also pursuing the Teachers' Associate Programme under the Association of Russian Ballet and Theatre Arts (ARBTA) to enhance the quality of instruction at the academy.

She plans to affiliate the academy with ARBTA starting from the upcoming semester.

Once affiliated, the academy will introduce graded ballet examinations, and students will receive internationally recognised certificates.

These credentials could open doors to scholarships, advanced training, and even professional careers in ballet for the young dancers.

Believing in the natural artistic talent of the people of Manipur, Zingrin said academic education is important but should be complemented by structured extracurricular activities.

"Exploring such activities enhances self-confidence in children and helps them mature in the right way," she said.

However, she noted that options for extracurricular development in the state are limited and often informal.

Her academy, she explained, is a step toward filling that gap by offering a structured course with a well-defined curriculum, aimed at producing dancers capable of performing on global stages.

The academy currently conducts two one-hour classes each week in the afternoon.

Training is divided into Preliminary Assessment, Preliminary Examination, Junior Grades, and Senior Grades.

Zingrin admitted that ballet is a demanding art form and not everyone is physically flexible enough to perform it with ease.

"Hard work and perseverance are key to succeeding in ballet," she said.

As the academy completes its first year, preparations are under way for its inaugural ballet performance in the state.

The event will be a significant milestone not only for the students but also for Zingrin, who will welcome her mentor and director of Russian Classical Ballet, Galina Lyakhoba, as a guest.

A student from the Delhi academy will also perform alongside the Imphal troupe, aiming to inspire the young dancers.

"Dance is a unique form of expression and narrates powerful stories through intricate movements," Zingrin said, adding that introducing ballet in Manipur is not an attempt to replace the state's classical or folk traditions but to enrich its already diverse artistic environment by including another globally celebrated form.

With passion, perseverance, and a strong foundation, the Imphal Russian Ballet Academy is quietly scripting a new chapter in the state's cultural story - where pointe shoes find a place alongside the world renowned Manipuri classical dance and other traditional dance forms.

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