Manipuri Dance Forum

Manipuri Dance Forum
Name	Manipuri Dance Forum
Founded	20th century
Location	Imphal, Manipur
Genre	Manipuri dance, classical dance

Manipuri Dance Forum

The Manipuri Dance Forum is a performing arts collective based in Imphal, Manipur, dedicated to the preservation, practice, and propagation of Manipuri dance traditions. The Forum engages with regional institutions such as Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, national bodies like Sangeet Natak Akademi, and international partners including UNESCO, fostering exchanges with ensembles from Kathak-dominated regions, Bharatanatyam troupes, and companies associated with Rabindranath Tagore's Visva-Bharati University. Its activities intersect with festivals such as the Khamba Thoibi Festival, the Natya Tarangini Festival, and the Ras Leela circuits in South and Southeast Asia.

History

The Forum traces influences to lineage holders such as Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Khwairakpam Chaoba, Amudon Chitrabam, and patrons from the Maharaja of Manipur era, with roots parallel to institutions like the Sangeet Research Academy and academies in Kolkata, New Delhi, and Guwahati. Its formation responded to cultural revival movements following interventions by Jawaharlal Nehru, directives from the Ministry of Culture (India), and efforts led by educators affiliated with Banaras Hindu University and Calcutta University. Early collaborations involved artists connected to Kalakshetra Foundation, Nrityagram, and visiting scholars from SOAS University of London, University of Oxford, and University of Chicago, who convened with local gurus from Imphal and districts like Thoubal and Churachandpur. The Forum developed amid policy shifts influenced by the Protect and Promotion of Traditional Arts initiatives and cultural preservation projects funded by entities such as the Asian Cultural Council.

Organization and Leadership

Leadership has included choreographers, artistic directors, and trustees drawn from families linked to Manipur Royal Family networks and training lineages associated with teachers from Gurukul Kangri University, Bhatkhande Music Institute University, and conservatories in Mysore and Bengaluru. The board has featured representatives from North Eastern Council (India), the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and alumni of institutions like National School of Drama and Film and Television Institute of India. Administrative ties extend to municipal bodies in Imphal West and cultural councils in Shillong and Itanagar. Guest artistic advisors have included maestros who worked with Rukmini Devi Arundale, directors with credits at Shakespeare’s Globe exchanges, and researchers from Smithsonian Institution and British Museum collaborative projects.

Repertoire and Performances

The Forum’s repertoire foregrounds classical forms such as Ras Lila, Pung Cholom, Laiching Jagoi, and theatrical pieces derived from texts like the Govinda Leela and episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana as performed in Manipuri style. Productions have been staged at venues including the National Centre for the Performing Arts (India), Prithvi Theatre, India Habitat Centre, Taj Mahal Concert Hall events, and international festivals in Paris, London, New York City, Tokyo, and Chiang Mai. The group has collaborated with musicians associated with MS Subbulakshmi’s lineage, instrumentalists trained in Tabla and Ektara traditions, and contemporary composers who have worked with orchestras like the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in fusion projects. Signature productions have toured under cultural exchange programs with delegations from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

Training and Educational Programs

Training programs combine traditional guru-shishya pedagogy with curricula modeled on syllabi from the Sangeet Natak Akademi and degree frameworks at University of Delhi and Panjab University. The Forum runs workshops in collaboration with schools such as Don Bosco School (Imphal), colleges like Manipur University, and conservatories including Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and Codarts University for the Arts. Masterclasses have been taught by alumni of Kala Bhavana (Visva-Bharati), visiting scholars from Yale University, Columbia University, and researchers affiliated with Centre for Folklore Studies and Anthropological Survey of India. Educational outreach extends to summer intensives funded by foundations such as Ford Foundation and Tata Trusts, and teacher-training modules accredited through partnerships with NCERT and regional teacher colleges.

Collaborations and Outreach

The Forum has partnered with performing arts institutions including Kalakshetra Foundation, Nritya Bharati, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater affiliates, and festivals like Easter Festival (France), Edinburgh International Festival, and Auckland Arts Festival. Community outreach initiatives have worked with NGOs such as Pratham, SEWA, and cultural preservation projects supported by Asia-Europe Foundation. Research collaborations have engaged archives like the National Archives of India, museums including Lalit Kala Akademi Gallery, and ethnomusicology departments at Australian National University and SOAS University of London. Exchange residencies involved artists associated with Akademie der Künste and platforms like World Dance Alliance.

Awards and Recognition

Artists associated with the Forum have received honors such as the Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Bharat Bhushan, and regional recognitions conferred by the Government of Manipur and cultural prizes from entities like the Lalit Kala Akademi and Kalaimamani. The Forum’s productions have been shortlisted for prizes at the Prague Quadrennial and received grants from bodies such as the Asian Cultural Council and awards adjudicated by panels from National School of Drama and the Ministry of Culture (India). Individual performers have earned fellowships from institutions including Fulbright Program, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, and residencies at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

Category:Classical dance companies of India Category:Manipuri culture Category:Performing arts organizations based in Manipur