Artsource
DANCE/MUSIC
®
The Music Center’s Study Guide to the Performing Arts
TRANSFORMATION
ENDURING VALUES
ARTISTIC PROCESSES
TRADITIONAL CLASSICAL
1. CREATING (Cr)
CONTEMPORARY
2. PERFORMING, PRESENTING, PRODUCING (Pr)
EXPERIMENTAL
3. RESPONDING (Re)
MULTI-MEDIA
4. CONNECTING (Cn)
FREEDOM & OPPRESSION
THE POWER OF NATURE
THE HUMAN FAMILY
Title of Work:
About the Artwork:
Lai Haraoba (folk dance) Vasanta Rasa Lila (classical dance) Dhon Dholak Cholam (drum dance)
Lai Haraoba, which means ‘festival of the gods and
Creators:
back to pre-history. Revealing the story of
Company: Ranganiketan (House of Colorful Art) Manipuri Cultural Arts Troupe Founder and Director: Dr. T. D. Singh (1937-2006)
creation, it is performed during the summer season. It
goddesses,’ is the oldest folk-dance in Manipur, dating
Background Information:
traces aspects of the culture of Manipur and is usually accompanied by an ancient single-stringed instrument called Pena. The dancers exhibit graceful movements
Manipur, called the “Jewel of India,” is a secluded state
and expressive hand gestures conveying deep meaning.
situated at India’s northeasternmost frontier. Located in
Rasa Lila is a classical dance created by the Hindu god
an oval-shaped valley, it is tucked within nine ranges of
Krishna. It was communicated to King Jai Singh
Himalayan mountains. The ancient culture here has been
through a vision and was recreated to exact specifications,
preserved intact for thousands of years, meticulously
including both style and costumes. This dance,
passed on from one generation to the next via master
performed in the spring, is celebrated along with Holi,
artists and teachers. Foreigners are still forbidden to travel
the ‘festival of colors,’ in which the dancers spray each
freely within Manipur, so it is especially significant that
other with colored powder or water. It begins in the
Ranganiketan is sharing their culture with outsiders,
early evening and continues for eighteen hours.
building friendship and understanding. Many of the artists in this group have practiced their art since early
Creative Process of the Artist or Culture:
childhood and have achieved perfection in their specific
The people of Manipur believe that everything
field. Some have been raised to the stature of guru
is divinely inspired. As a symbol of their humility,
(teacher), instructing others in the ancient science of
the performers always touch the floor and then
Manipuri culture. Dr. T. D. Singh, director, felt from the
their forehead before they begin. From an early age,
time he was a child that he wanted to serve this world.
young children commit to an
He set out to become a doctor so he could help people.
honored
He holds a Doctorate in Chemistry from the University
relationship with a specific master
of California at Irvine, yet he made a choice to connect
teacher.
and
people through the language of culture rather than
CHINA TIBET
science. He felt the powerful pull of his own culture when, as a sixth grade student, he secretly attended an eighteen hour performance of music and dance causing him to miss his final math exam.
Dr. Singh says
“Manipur is a small dot on this planet, but everyone there is born an artist.”
respected
MANIPUR
BANGLADESH
Photo: T.D. Singh Foundation
“I am doing the chemistry of culture.” Dr. T. D. Singh
INDIA
BURMA
Bay of Bengal INDIAN OCEAN