Manipuri Dance-Drama Festival enthralls Sivasagar

OUR CORRESPONDENT

SIVASAGAR: Festivals in the Northeast region reflect the varied beliefs and value systems of numerous communities and showcase their culture. Therefore, to preserve the culture of these communities, a two-day dance and music festival was recently held in Sivasagar which attracted a huge crowd.

In order to promote and preserve these indigenous art forms, Sibasagar Natya Samaj, a premier cultural organization of Northeast, established in 1899, under the aegis of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal, a constituent unit of Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, organized a two-day-long ‘Festival of Manipuri Dance and Music (FMDM)’at Natya Mandir, Sivasagar recently. Troupes from Manipur participated in the event and enthralled the audience with their unique art forms.

The prestigious stage of the Natya Mandir became alive with music, dance, songs and gorgeous costumes for two consecutive evenings of the February 8 and February 9. The curtain raiser of Festival of Manipuri Dance and Music kicked-off with Kuranga Nayani, a presentation of dance drama, scripted by Debjani Chaliha and choreographed by Ksh. Thouranishabi Devi, which saw the presence of Dipali Chaliha, president of Sibsagar Natya Samaj, Saurav Chaliha, Executive Member and Chief Co-ordinator of Sibsagar Natya Samaj, Prof. N Tombi, vice-chairman of Jawaharlal Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal, Debjani Chaliha, Ksh. Thouranishabi Devi, W Tikendrajit Singh, Programme Officer and other delegates of the Manipuri contingent.

The dance drama entitled Kuranga Nayani exhibits the brave effort and clever plans of Kuranga Nayani, daughter of Bhagyachandra (Joysingh) who helped Lakshmi, brother of her husband Swarga Deo, to regain the lost kingdom from the Morans.

On February 9, the second day, Radha Sati was presented by the troupe, which was scripted and choreographed by Ksh. Thouranishabi Devi. The story in this dance-drama was based on the celestial love of Radha and Krishna, and exhibits how the world ultimately acknowledges Radha’s love and how she is rewarded for her devotion and faithfulness.

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