Can you explain the importance of “Mudras” or hand-gestures in Manipuri dance?
Hand-gestures are an integral part of the form. The hand-gestures are prevalent in the older Maibi tradition as well, but they do not have any names. The later Rasleela tradition has Sanskrit names for the hand-gestures, in fact that is way we were taught. Other Indian dance forms have very similar traditions of hand-gestures. Later on, in the 1970s during the peak of the political unrest Hidanmayum Thambal sharma started a new tradition as he re-named the hand-gestures with Meitei names. I am working on a project right now on the history of hand-gestures in Manipuri dance, and would be better prepared to give statements once it is published. You would of course be familiar with the martial art styles of Manipuri. Can you tell us how they relate to the dance forms? I personally studied Thang-ta for about a year, when I lived in Manipur. The history of Manipuri society is filled with warfare with neighboring kingdoms, and inter-clan rivalries. Also, the surrounding mountains are covered
