A three-year manipuri dance training project titled Dhrumel has been initiated jointly by dance troupe Sadhona and Moulvibazar based troupe Manipuri Theatre to train up enthusiastic
dancers at Kamalganj in Moulvibazar.
The project was inaugurated with a short workshop that was held from 2nd to 4th June with participation of 30 students, including 15 members of Manipuri Theatre at the studio stage of the troupe at Ghoramara, Kamolganj.
The project was announced on the concluding day of the workshop after a presentation by the participants. Distinguished and respected members of the Manipuri community, including artistes, cultural activists and organisers, were present at the event.
The event was conducted by Subhashish Sinha, chairperson of Manipuri Theatre. In her welcome address, Lubna Marium, dance researcher and general secretary of Shadhona, put forward the aims and goals of the project, and hoped that trainers from Manipur (India) too will be involved in the project.
Manipuri dance exponent Kalavati Devi’s disciple Sweety Das Chowdhury, from Kolkata, who is presently living in Dhaka, has been selected as the trainer of the programme. Gurus of the Manipuri community in Kamolganj will also be part of the project.
‘The condition of classical manipuri dance in Kamolgonj in Moulvibazar is poor compared to that of in Manipur state in India. For their training, the project named Dhrumel has been initiated,’ Lubna Marium told New Age.
‘It will be imparting training in Manipuri performance and theoretical perspectives, besides looking into the making of costumes and musical instruments. Pung Cholom, Dhol Cholom, Kartal Cholom, Thangta, and other lasya and tandav forms of manipuri will be taught,’ she added.
She further informed that short workshops on Manipuri will be held every month during the three years including half-year examinations for the students.
She also hoped that a yearly International manipuri dance festival could be arranged in Kamolganj, to attract audiences from far and wide.
The next workshop will be conducted at Ghoramara from June 13 – 17 at the same venue.
Interested students can contact 01716578303 by June 10, 2013.
-With New Age input
