Imphal hosts festival to promote popular classical dance forms

Imphal: Manipur capital Imphal recently played host to a festival that aimed to promote the classical dance forms of Manipuri and Satriyya. Classical dancers from different parts of the country took part in the four-day long Festival of Classical Manipur Solo Dance. The event was held under the aegis of Manipur State Kala Akademi to spread awareness about the classical dance among the youth. “This solo classical festival will surely benefit the classical dancers, especially those learning different forms of classical dances,” said S. Bideshwor Sharma, the Secretary, Manipur State Kala Academy and one of the organisers of the event. Manipuri dance forms like the Ras Lila, Pung Cholom, Nupa Cholom and Thoibi enthralled the audience, who turned up in large numbers. “Manipuri classical dance has got a bright future as many youth, both females and males, are taking up dancing as a profession, said Bimbavati Devi, a classical dancer from Kolkata. Manipuri classical and martial arts dance forms have fascinated many foreign artists like Jonathan Julian Forster of France. Forster recently performed a solo Thang-Ta performance while his mother Angela Sofia Sterzer performed a Manipuri Classical dance amidst much applause from the crowd. “This is amazing that they have come from Paris to Manipur and performing Thang-Ta martial art. And this is the second time they have come and this is really encouraging to the people,” said Bracjachand Singh, who watched the show. Anjela, who arrived in India in 2001 as a tourist, fell in love with Indian classical dances and learned Manipuri classical dance from Kolkota-based Guru Jiten. She has now opened a dance school in Paris where she is teaches Manipuri dance to the French. ANI