Mail News Service
Imphal, April 20 : Governor Gurbachan Jagat today inaugurated a Two-day Symposium & Festival on Indian Dances at JNMDA Auditorium .
He said India is a vast country with different dance forms. Sangeet Natak Akademi introduced the term “Classical Dance” to denote Natya Shastra based performing styles. Sangeet Natak Akademi has till now recognized 8 dance forms as classical namely, Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Odissi and Sattriya. Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi follow the Natya Shastra more rigorously while Kathak incorporates very few elements. This shows that there is large variation among the classical dances in its dependence on the Natya Shastra. In these classical dances, the importance of mudra needs no further elaboration. Besides, the 8 recognised forms there are a few which are also based on the Natya Shastra but yet to be recognized as classical dances. Beyond these there are innumerable numbers of dances which are called folk dances. Even Manipur has a number of folk dances, with each of the 33 recognised Scheduled Tribes having their own different dances, besides the Meiteis who have a number of dance forms like Lai Haraoba dance, etc.
He hoped that the symposium will look into the different aspects of the Indian dance forms and this evolution through time and come up with ideas to keep pace with the changing environment. Further, the Festival will bring out the best dance form of this sub-continent which I hope will enthrall the discerning audience of Manipur. Manipur as you are aware is rich in cultural heritage and the common people have the refinement to understand and appreciate higher art forms, especially the elements of Bhakti.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/governor-inaugurates-festival-of-indian-dances/
