Manipuri Dance enthralled Mandalay National Theatre: Herald a message of Love

26 December 2015

Manipuri Dance enthralled Mandalay National Theatre on 24th December 2015

Manipuri Dance contingent enthralled the crowd of Mandalay in the National Theatre of Mandalay on 24th December 2015. The India Cultural Evening was organised under the aegis of Indian Consulate office Mandalay, Myanmar. Dr. Win Hlaing, Minister of Social welfare , U Kyaw San, Minister of Transport and Dr. Nandakumar Consulate of India to Myanmar were on the dais. Many diplomatic luminaries including Chinese Consulate General were present in the evening. The show was coordinated by R.K. Shivachandra, President Indo Myanmar Fraternal Alliance from Indian side.

The Manipuris in Mandalay that scattered all around the Myanmar Cultural Capital had thronged the National Theatre and made the Evening worth a name. The Manipuri Dance were represented by renowned dance group of Manipur, LIANDA FOLK AND CLASSICAL ACADEMY and Manju Elangbam, a dance exponent, who brought laureates to Manipur on several occasions also performed certain dance forms on the stage.

The crowd which were mostly young age groups filled the hall with a thunderous clap with each movement and performances of DASA AVATAR that featured different 10 incarnations of the God including Lord Bodha. Artists from Balli also took part in the cultural evening and featured ‘Ramayana Play’ which is considered as most fond of spectacular show in Bali and rest of South East Asia.

The performance of Manipuris was meant more than a dance show as Mandalay and rest of Myanmar is looking up to act as a major key player in the Asian economic map rather than remaining a backwater in the last 50 years under Junta Military regime. Myanmar wholly dependent on China as far as economic prospect is concerned. Now the scenario is changed with India becomes more diplomatic and pragmatic to envisage its “ Act East Policy” in a more systematic and practical input as conceptualized by Shri. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. Though much is left to be desired in the much hype-up in the so called look East Policy or Act East Policy in the border of two nations , a road map has already drawn about what to do next.

Manipuri Dance enthralled Mandalay National Theatre on 24th December 2015

Myanmar and India that shares a cultural heritage and embraces the same root of religion has many things to speak when it comes to a concept of working hand in hand. The Manipuri dance performance speaks volumes of close relationships of the two nations. Moreover the attire of THOUGAL JAGOI that is very much akin to the other South East Asian countries, and mongoloid feature of the Manipuris posed a riddle that what we can achieve if all these people clique together at a time.

Apart from the Cultural Evening of India, the dance troupe also staged certain performances at different Manipuri localities in Mandalay. The most eventful and heart rendering moment had been the performance at Gundicha Mandav of Bamon Khunjao of Mandalay. Bhramchari Mayum Rupabati Devi, a Manipuri lecturer in Mandalay University yielded with her tearful eyes” This is the first ever Rasa Dance displayed in this particular Mandav”. ‘Chali Saaba’ the age old traditional dance performed in every Mandav in the bygone days in Manipur were recollected and the artist of Manipur and Manipuris of Mandalay performed the dance form (Chali ) together in unison for the memory to be captured in that memorable evening.

The dance troupe also participated 78th International Vyasa Puja Celebration of His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Swamy Srila Sripada and 6th anniversary of Srimad Bhagavat Gita Jayante Mahotsava that was held at Ambika temple. Devotees from all over the globe participated the anniversary with deep reverence. It may be recalled that a big Manipur contingent comprises of 56 members left Imphal ISCKON complex on 14th December last as being headed by R.K. Shivachandra, President Indo Myanmar Fraternal Alliance.