KHAMBA THOIBI DANCE

Khamba Thoibi dance is a duet of male and female partners, a dance of dedication to the sylvan deity, Thangjing of Moirang. Khamba and Thoibi are actually two mythological characters who have become immortal in Manipuri folklore.

This, with the "Maibi" dance (Priestess dance) , the "Leima Jagoi" etc. form the "Laiharaoba" dance. The "Laiharaoba" dance , in many ways, is the fountainhead of the modern Manipuri dance form.

RAS LEELA

The Ras Leela, the epitome of Manipuri classical dance is inter-woven through the celestial and eternal love of Radha and Krishna as has been described in the Hindu scriptures and reveals the sublime and transcendental love of Krishna and Radha and the Gopies' devotion to the Lord.

It is generally performed in an enclosure in front of the temple throughout the night and watched with a deep sense of devotion. Ras performances are seasonal and varied and performed at the temple of Shree Shree Govindajee in Imphal on the nights of Basanta Purnima, Sarada Purnima and Kartik Purnima and at local temples later. As to the composition, the performance is a combination of solo, duet and group dances.

THE KANGLA

The Palace of Kangla is an old palace at Kangla in the Manipur state of India. It was situated on both sides (western and eastern) of the bank of the Imphal River. Only the ruins remain now. Kangla means "dry land" in old Meitei. It was the traditional seat of the past Meitei rulers of Manipur. The British referred to it as the Manipur Fort.

Kangla is the most important historical and archeological site of Manipur. The kingdom of Manipur was established and developed at Kangla. Being a site of political and religious centre, Kangla has grown into a formidable fortress city through the centuries. It is from this capital that the Ningthouja clan gradually wielded enough political and military power and grew up to be the most dominant clan in Manipur.

PUNG CHOLOM

Pung or Manipuri Mridanga is the soul of Manipuri Sankritana music and Classical Manipuri Dance. It assumes an important ritual character, an indispensable part of all social and devotional ceremonies in Manipur, - the instrument itself becoming an object of veneration.

Pung Cholom is performed as an invocatory number preceding the Sankirtana and Ras Lila. It is a highly refined classical dance number characterised by the modulation of sound from a soft whisper to a thunderous climax.

Manipur State Archaeology.

History

Archaeological investigation and excavation was begun in Manipur as early as 1935 by the late W.Yumjao Singh, the foremost archeologist of the State. Yumjao conducted excavations at Kameng and Sagaithen in Imphal West District. He collected several antiques including old manuscripts, copper plate inscriptions and ancient coins. A report of these findings was published in 1935. The report mentioned that the artifacts collected by Yumjao were sent to the Indian Museum at Kolkata for examination. However, the results were never published and the whereabouts of the artifacts remain a mystery.

The Manipur State Archaeology was established by the Government of Manipur in 1978, 53 years after the first archeological explorations by Yumjao. Since its inception, the office has been devoting to the preservation, protection, exploration and excavation of ancient and historical monuments, archaeological sites and remains in the State. During the past decade, systematic exploration and excavation were conducted both in the hill districts and the central Manipur valley. A number of pre- and proto-historical sites were discovered in different parts of the State.

Objectives & Functions

The main objectives and functions of the office are as follows:

i )	Exploration and excavation of ancient and historical monuments, archaeological sites and remains;
ii )	Repairing and protection of historical and archaeological sites and monuments;
iii )	Registration of antiquities and other art objects;
iv )	Overseeing traditional and religious ceremonies and rituals at Kangla;
v )	To develop Kangla as a heritage park.

Activities

Among the recent endeavour of the office towards preservation and protection of the State’s material heritage, the followings are worth mentioning:

a) Kangla :

The Manipur State Archaeology oversees the restoration and development programs of the Kangla under the aegis of the Kangla Fort Board which is headed by the Chief Minister of Manipur. The Shree Shree Govindaji Temple and Brindabanchandra Temple inside Kangla were successfully restored under the expert supervision of INDIA-ICOMOS, New Delhi. Presently, the restoration of the Citadel and the inner fort wall is in progress. As a part of the development of the Kangla Heritage Park, landscaping, gardening, forestry and development of lawns on the eastern and western portions were taken up under the supervision of the State Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department, Forest Department and the Environment & Ecology Office.

A Signage of Kangla narrating in brief its history is being put up near the Uttra. Beautification of the Inner Moat with stone pitching is being taken up on its southern portion. Development of the southern wing of the Kangla Museum is in progress.

b) Langthabal Konung :

An ambitious program for restoration and preservation of the Langthabal Konung, the erstwhile capital of the Manipur Kingdom in the 18th century A.D.; and the arch gate-way, Radha Romon Temple and Mandapa on Langthabal hillock were taken up by the office.

c) Samadhi of Maharajah Gambhir Singh,
Langthabal:

The development works of the Samadhi, including the construction of gate, the frontal façade (compound wall) and the pedestal for installation of the statue of the King were completed. The casting of the larger-than-life size statue of the Maharajah is nearing completion.

Manipur State Archeology Images