Sakuntala : JNMDA's latest artistic venture into Manipuri dance

Rajmani Ayekpam *

'Shankuntala' : dance-drama from W Lokendrajit performed at JN Dance Academy, on November 2012 :: Pix - Bunti Phurailatpam

Though Manipur is very rich in dance and other related art forms but dance drama or ballet is one of the rarest art forms in the state. However, some private organizations and governmental organization like JNMDA produced some dance dramas and ballets occasionally. But, the qualities of these productions are high and can attract attention of the audience.

JNMDA's latest dance drama production of Sakuntala was stage on last 7th and 8th November, 2012 for two days with much pomp and fair in their auditorium. This is the 35th production of JNMDA in the line. Earlier, JNMDA produced some of outstanding productions like Keibul Lamjao, Sangai (Dancing Deer of Manipur) etc. Keibul Lamjao, a dance-drama of the Academy had participated in the 5th International Theatre Festival held in London in 1989.

'Sangai' (Dancing Deer of Manipur) a celluloid version of the said dance-drama, had won five merit awards at the 12th International Wild Life Film Festival held in Missoula (Montana, USA) in 1989. JNMDA's Sankuntala was short title of Mahakavi Kalidas's Abhigyan Sakuntalam. Mahakavi Kalidas's Abhibyan Sakuntalam is the best literary piece of India which can be attracted not only literary circle but other performing arts like theatre and dance also.

Many great directors from theatre produced varieties of plays based Kalidas's Abhigyan Sakuntalam in their own style. And many choreographers and directors from dance circle also produced varieties of dance drama and ballets based on Abhigyan Sakuntalam.

Any attempt from dance format is more glamorous than other performing arts. Simple story telling is meaningless when it is presented in dance drama or any other performing arts. When the story of Sakuntala is presented in dance drama format it has more manner and glamour.

JNMDA's Sakuntala began with style and glamour. Like earlier predecessors heavy custom, beautifully choreograph tableau type dance movement and haunting music of Sakuntala enthralled audiences. W. Lokendrajit, choreographer and director of the Sakuntala controlled cautiously all the branches of this dance drama. He mixed the movement of classical Manipuri dance, Cholom and Manipuri martial arts intelligently. His tableau type dance composition was another facet of this dance drama.

However, this tableau type composition is good to look at and for taking photographs but it disturb the flow of the dance drama. Shri N. Tiken Singh, music director created a new composition of music for this dance drama by mixing Hindustani and Manipuri style of music.

Shri Sarat Singh's costume design was colourful and exotic but heavy. Shri N. Jillatombi's stage design was minimize but meaningful. Shri L. Ibochouba's light design gave a colourful look.

JNMDA is the only professional dance group in whole of north-east India. Their big budget production cost is one of the highest in comparison with other organizations. So, scholars and dance enthusiast of this state have a curious mind to analyze how far they are professional in their productions.

Poet Kalidash is famous for his description of close relation of man with nature. If nature departs from his literary text all his literary products are simple curry without many spices. Sakuntala, poet's masterpiece also, nature has played an important part. Major part of Sakuntala covers beauty of nature and has little part of palatial beauty.

So, we can analyze how much content of natural beauty had in JNMDA's Sakuntala. As a whole, JNMDA's Sakuntala looks more in fine polish and designed beauty. Moreover, highly melodramatic action from the artist who played in the Sakuntala's role can't cope with simple action from other artistes.

Generally, there's no body culture among artistes of this state. JNMDA's artistes also except few followed this tradition. However, they maintained body culture while they are young but they abandoned this tradition as they are advanced in aged. Body culture is very important in any performing art. It's questionable some of JNMDA's artistes maintained body culture.

The exotic & heavy costume of King Dushanta overlook medium size frame of artiste who played in the role of King Dushanta (Bilash). Heavy melodramatic action of artiste whom played in the role of Sakuntala (Chandan) can't match with other artistes. However, it's questionable heavy melodrama is necessary in the dance drama ?

Except these few words, it can't be a strong appreciation that JNMDA's latest production of dance drama 'Sakuntala' is one of the outstanding productions among the latest dance drama produced in the state.

See full photo Gallery on JNMDA's Sakuntala here