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DANCE
Lai - Haraoba
The Manipuris believe that this dance represents the concept of the beginning
of the world. There is a legend that in the beginning there was only Guru Sidaba,
the highest Lord, existing in the dark vacuum. Once the brilliant hues of the
rainbow shot into this dark space, the beams of lights motivated the Guru to
witness the world with flora and fauna. He sent Atiya Guru Sidaba along with a
creature to create the world. This creature spun a web-like frame work on which
the human inhabitation was to be initiated. Atiya Guru desired to solidify the
framework. He went again to Guru Sidaba. The Guru offered him some dirt from his
navel and he also created nine men from right side and seven women from his left
side to assist Atiya Guru. The dirt was to be applied to the framework to
solidify it. The Atiya Guru along with the team of men and women sat down to
work. Their attempt was foiled twice by one Harba. Guru Sidaba then sent the
goddess of lightning to assist Atiya Guru. With the graceful beauty and charm
the goddess could entice Harba away. The framework was then solidified and
declared fit for human habitation. On its completion the occasion was celebrated
as Lai-Haraoba. Twelve main sequences which part by part depict each process in
the
creation.
 Nongdai Jagoi : The dance of commencing the split in the sky, the splitting of
the rainbow in the sky by the Guru Sidaba. The hands are moved skywards in
trying to bring the two parts
together. In Leitai Dance, The waist is moved in circular movements depicting the spreading
of earth dirt on the web-like framework. When the earth was completed and
divided into different divisions, the dance started by moving hands from side to
side. Leitai Dance depicts the formation of the trace with the dirt from the
Guru's navel. The dance steps are done on tiptoes. Lai-Haraoba is performed in worship of gods like Pakhangba, Thangjing etc. It
has got three main forms. The Kanglei Lai-Haraoba is celebrated at the palace.
The Moirang Lai-Haraoba is celebrated in the honour of Lord Thangjing and the
Chakpa Lai-Haraoba which is basically observed by Loi people. Lai Haraoba takes
place in Manipuri month of Kalen (April/May). It continues for a week. There are
certain days of the month which are considered propitious and the festival is
celebrated on these dates like 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8. The deities are represented by
a pair of bamboo tubes, wooden or brass mark with cloths placed below and above,
pieces of wood or iron or a coin etc.
The dance is divided into seven
sections. First section is the Lai Ikouba.
This consists in calling the Lai out of water. The Maibi sits before water from
which Lai is called up, chanting incantations and ringing a hand-bell. It is
called Laimang Phamba (sitting before the Lai). Second is the Laibou Jagoi which
is a dance with antiphonal singing, representing the life cycle of Lai. Third is
the Panthaibi Jagoi which is a dance depicting the romantic tale of Nangpok
Ningthou and Panthoibi. The episode is always danced in Naga costumes. Some
expressions of jhuming cultivation are also expressed during this dance. It may
be of Tangkhul origin. Fourth is the Lairen Mathek. It is a communal dance in
which the circular pattern representing the python is danced. It is limited to
Kamglei Haraoba and is related to the python manifestation of Pakhangba.
Basically it is related to the royal clan, the Ningthouja. Fifth is the Ougri
Hangel. It is also a communal dance designed to bring wealth and prosperity.
Sixth is the Thoubal Chongba. It is called the dancing by moon light in circle.
It has seasonal importance. In the month of March/April after 'Yaosang' (Holi),
this dance is performed in the Mandapas of Temples or in the open air. Boys,
girls and grown up people take part in its performance. The Thoubal Chongba
offers a chance to express the element of excitement and activities in dance
form. In villages and towns the organisers arrange a beautiful illumination by
fitting the tube lights on bamboo posts around a sufficient area which is
centrally located public places. In the moon-lit night the dances go on till
late at night. Boys and girls dance together in a group forming a long chain.
The dancers may join and leave at different intervals at their own convenience.
Seventh is the Nongkarel at the end of the festival. The Lai-Haraoba is the
combination of religious recitations, traditional music and dance, traditional
social values and ancient cultural aspects.
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