Monday 23 November 2015

Music & Costumes

The musical  accompaniment to manipuri dances is played on an instrument rather like a guitar called the khol and mrodangam. But sometimes the singing is done by a group whose member do not join the dance. When the drummer and the dancers together execute certain quick talas each in his own medium, tempo of the dance increases and the quick rhythmic pattern is enchanting to watch.


Costumes are very important for this dance form. The women were a tight fitting conical cap made of black velvet or some other material under a thin veil. Modern dancers wear a top or side bun instead of the cap. Choli is usually made of velvet with fitting sleeves with golden embroidery. The ghagra is always vibrant colored and must have some mirror work on it.
 Male dancers always wears a dhoti with embroidered bands across his chest ending in flaps that fall over both hips. In Ras-Leela Krishna is gorgeously attired in a pleated dhoti of golden or yellow silk. The chest is being covered by necklace.
Female costume

Male costume

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