The classical dance form of Manipuri originated in Manipur as a religious dance performed in temples. It tells spiritual stories through graceful movements. Raslila is a dance that depicts the love of Radha and Krishna. The costumes are colorful yet modest. Khamba Thoibi recounts the love story of Khamba and Moirang princess Thoibi through dance. Astra-Vidya involves martial dances with weapons and was performed during festivals from ancient times.

1. Manipu
qi
Dance

2. Intqoducti
The classical dance form of Manipuri is the main dance of Manipur.
The dances of Manipur essentially has religious inclination and it
Reveals the story of spiritual experiences & salvation. Earlier the
Dances were only performed in the temple premises & it was only in
the 20th century that the performances began on stage. The
Traditional Manipuri dance style embodies delicate, lyrical & graceful
Movements.

3. Rasa
Lila

4. Intqoducti
It is the dance of lord Krishna, Radha &the
Gopies. The epitome of this dance is inter-woven
Through the celestial & eternal love of Radha &
Krishna. It is generally performed in an enclosure
in front of the temple throughout the night &
watched with a deep sense of devotion. There are
different kinds of Ras-dances.
They are as follows:
Maharas, Kunjaras, Basantaras,
Nityaras & Dibaras.

5. Costumes
The costumes and ornaments of Ras are colorful and glittering. Radhika wears a green dress &
Gopies are in red. Krishna performs in saffron. The dressing is designed in such a way to free
from any stimulus, excitement to the opposite sex. The skirt which the Ras dancers wear is
modelled on the one the Maharaja Bhagya Chandra(1763-1798) saw in his dream.

6. Female Costume
Koktombi
Koknaam
Meikhumbi
Choli
Thabret
Pasuan
Kumin

7. Male Cost
Chura
Leitreng
Choli
Thabret
Khaon
Feichom
Ghungur

8. Khamba T

9. Intqoducti
There are many other dances amongst the meithies, one of the most exquisite is
‘Khamba Thoibi’, The story of Khamba & Thoibi, related in the epic story
‘Moirang Purba’. It tells of the poor boy Khamba who fell in love with the Moirang
princess Thoibi. Thoibi and Khamba, believed to be the Incarnations of Shiva and
Parvati, took place during the region of Raja Loyamba, which was about A.D. 1047.

10. Costume
Choli
Inifi
Fanek
Dhoti

13. Thang

14. Intqoducti
Another ancient dance, which gives insight into the martial
nature of the people is ‘Astra - Vidya’ or war dances with
sword and spear, danced during the Durga Puja Festival. This
dance existed in Manipur from the earliest days, as is evident
from an inscription dated A.D. 154, about a patron of arts,
Raja Khowoi Thampak. Records also tell us that in A.D. 707,
a group of dancers and musicians from Burma, Assam and
Manipur, went as a cultural delegation to china.

15. Thang Ta combatants pose for camera as part of International Seminar-and-
workshop on "Spiritual And Physical Dimension Of Manipur Martial Arts" at
Manipur University Campus from 9th to 12th August, 2008

16. Thang Ta combatants pose for camera as part of International Seminar-and-
workshop on "Spiritual And Physical Dimension Of Manipur Martial Arts" at
Manipur University Campus from 9th to 12th August, 2008