California based anthropologist, scholar and Manipuri exponent Dr.
Sohini Ray is currently presenting her multi-media production
‘Bhaktirasgi Maangal Khonjel’ described as sounds and lights of devotion
pertaining to the Manipuri dances, in various cities of India. This
presentation successfully explores as to how Manipuri dance forms an
integral part of life in Manipur, wherein every occasion either social
or religious is considered incomplete without Manipuri dance. Having
received a grant from the University of California at Los Angeles
(UCLA), Sohini travelled to various places in Manipur and conducted
research on the significance of Manipuri dance as a performing art and
its transition from temples to the auditorium. While this production is
considered one of the best collections of Manipuri dance, it was also
the final nominee for the 2010 Margaret Mead Award given by the Society
of Applied Anthropology of the American Anthropological Association for
successfully establishing dance as an application of anthropology. Dr.
Sohini Ray reveals as to how she was fascinated by Manipuri dance at a
tender age, her association with her mentors Guru Bipin Singh and the
Jhaveri sisters, the inter-relationship between dance and anthropology
and her journey as an exponent and much more.Read the interview in the site
Lai Haraoba is not based on Vaishnavism. Ras Lila is based on Radha Krishna, but adapted from Lai Haraoba dance form, the ancient Meitei dance tradition.
ReplyDeleteMany Indians dancer try to link Lai Haraoba to Siva or some other Hindu mythology to please Indian audience. But, Lai Haraoba and Ras Lila are two different forms.