So while the Manipuris
punch above their weight in the boxing rings – as in, Mary Kom and Dingko Singh
- here they weave silky magic with their delicate and gracious moves. You have
carried these images of dancers with their bamboo basket like skirts from the
sepia days of Doordarshan. And then on a breathless smoggy day, the dancers
step out before you in all their colourful glory.
You are attending the
North East Festival for the second time in two years conducted in the heart of
Lutyens Delhi at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). And then
these women dressed in delicate veils step on the stage to display one of the
most gracious dance performances that you have ever seen.
The dance takes the
breath away – let the photos do the talking
Raas Leela from Manipur at North East Festival, IGNCA, New Delhi |
Krishna with gopis at IGNCA New Delhi |
In the tradition of Vaishnavism of Manipur Raas Leela is depicted within the classic Manipur dance |
A detailed story on the dance will follow soon - until then feast on the photos!