--- url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/dance/manipuri' title: 'Manipuri: classical dance of Manipur' author: name: Anonymous updated: '2026-10-31T16:31:13+00:00' type: website summary: 'Manipuri is the classical dance form of Manipur, centred on the Ras Lila of Radha and Krishna. Dancers wear no ankle bells, so the footwork stays quiet.' tags: - Dance image: 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' published: true og: site_name: KalaSudha 'image:url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' 'image:secure_url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' 'image:type': image/svg+xml 'image:alt': KalaSudha --- Tradition # Manipuri मणिपुरी Manipur's classical dance of the Ras Lila, danced without ankle bells Manipur Ras Lila Manipuri is a classical dance of Manipur, north-east India, centred on the Ras Lila of Radha and Krishna. Dancers wear no ankle bells, and the women's potloi has a stiff mirrored skirt. [ Explore Courses ](/en-int/courses?discipline=182) [ Show interest ](/en-int/dance/manipuri/show-interest) [Sign in to follow](/en-int/user/login?flag_anon=follow_term-182&destination=/en-int/markdownify/taxonomy/term/182) [ Share ](/en-int/share/term/182) ## Overview **Manipuri** is a classical dance of Manipur in north-eastern India, recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Its centre is the **Ras Lila**, the dance-drama of Radha, Krishna and the gopis (cowherd women), in five forms: Maha Ras, Vasanta (Basanta) Ras, Kunja Ras, Nitya Ras and Diba Ras. Dancers wear no ankle bells, so the footwork stays quiet. The style moves between **lasya**, the delicate mode linked with Radha and the gopis, and **tandava**, the vigorous mode linked with Krishna. Women in the Ras wear the **potloi**, with its stiff, mirror-worked skirt (kumin or kumil); Krishna wears a yellow dhoti and a peacock-feather crown. In **Pung Cholom** men dance while playing the pung, a barrel drum. It belongs to Sankirtana, the ritual singing, drumming and dancing that UNESCO has listed as intangible heritage since 2013. Manipuri draws on **Lai Haraoba**, the older ritual festival of the Meitei people of the Manipur valley, which India's Centre for Cultural Resources and Training calls the basis of Manipur's stylised dances. Vaishnavism reached Manipur from the fifteenth century, and its Ras Lila took shape under King Bhagyachandra; most sources date the first Maha Ras to 1779. From 1919 Rabindranath Tagore brought Manipuri teachers to Santiniketan, and Bipin Singh (1918 to 2000) later trained the Jhaveri sisters. Part of **Dance**: Indian classical dance is the umbrella name for India's regional classical forms, rooted in the Natyashastra. The list most cited, credited to the Sangeet Natak Akademi, has eight. ### Quick Facts Region Manipur, north-east India Central Form Ras Lila (Radha, Krishna and the gopis) Distinctive Costume Potloi, with the kumin (barrel-shaped skirt) Movement Quality Gentle to vigorous, no ankle bells ## History & Evolution Manipuri dance synthesises Vaishnava devotion with indigenous Meitei dance traditions. King **Bhagyachandra** (18th century) is credited with creating the **Ras Lila** format that remains central to the tradition. **Rabindranath Tagore** introduced Manipuri to wider audiences through Shantiniketan in the early 20th century. **Guru Bipin Singh** codified technique for concert presentation. The **Jhaveri Sisters** and other contemporary artists continue bringing Manipuri to international stages. Ancient - 17th Century ### Indigenous Origins Indigenous Meitei dance traditions develop, including the **Lai Haraoba** ritual celebrating pre-Vaishnava deities. Movement vocabulary establishes foundations. 18th Century ### Vaishnava Synthesis Manipur adopts Vaishnavism. King **Bhagyachandra** creates the **Ras Lila** format. Vaishnava devotion synthesises with indigenous movement traditions. 1920s - 1930s ### Tagore's Introduction **Rabindranath Tagore** invites Manipuri teachers to Shantiniketan. The form gains recognition beyond Manipur. National awareness develops. 1950s - Present ### Contemporary Development **Guru Bipin Singh** codifies technique. The **Jhaveri Sisters** achieve international recognition. Manipuri establishes its place among classical forms. ## Technical Aspects ### Soft Movement Quality Movement emphasises **soft, flowing quality**. Feet rarely strike audibly; dancers glide and sway. Arm movements describe gentle curves with distinctive hasta mudras. ### Ras Lila Forms The **Ras Lila** depicts Krishna's divine dance with the gopis. Five forms exist: Maha Ras, Basanta Ras, Kunja Ras, Nitya Ras, and Diba Ras. ### Potloi Costume The **potloi** (stiff, barrel-shaped skirt) conceals the lower body, emphasising graceful arm and torso movements. The costume contributes to Manipuri's distinctive appearance. ## Journey to Mastery Follow this structured journey to master this discipline 1. 1 ### Foundation Movement Master the basic stance and soft, gliding footwork. Learn the characteristic arm positions and hand gestures. Develop the gentle, flowing quality that defines Manipuri movement. 2. 2 ### Ras Lila Context Study the Ras Lila tradition and its religious significance. Learn the circular formations and group choreography. Understand the devotional context that shapes the form. 3. 3 ### Devotional Expression Learn abhinaya (expression) for devotional themes. Study the portrayal of gopis and their love for Krishna. Develop the subtle emotional qualities required for Manipuri interpretation. 4. 4 ### Solo Repertoire Learn solo repertoire adapted for concert presentation. Study the relationship between costume (potloi) and movement. Develop presentation skills for formal performance. 5. 5 ### Male Repertoire For male practitioners: learn Pung Cholom (drum dance) and Kartal Cholom (cymbal dance). Master the vigorous, athletic movements that contrast with gentle female vocabulary. ## Frequently Asked Questions Where can I learn Manipuri dance online with a live teacher? KalaSudha teaches [Manipuri dance](/en-int/dance/manipuri) live and one-to-one in its [online academy](/en-int/academy), with a vetted teacher. The classical dance of Manipur in north-eastern India, it centres on the Ras Lila of Radha, Krishna and the gopis, the cowherd women. Manipuri dancers wear no ankle bells, so the footwork stays quiet. Your first stage at **Foundation** is the basic stance and soft, **gliding footwork**. Every taught level, Foundation included, ends in a KalaSudha award that names Manipuri as your discipline. Workshops and summer camps add in-person training where enough learners sign up. Have more questions? Contact our support team and we'll be happy to help! Stay close ## Keep KalaSudha close. Receive news of concerts, learning opportunities, recordings and the work taking shape at KalaSudha. - Concert news - ·Learning opportunities - ·Recordings and stories We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.