A three-year dance training programme, initiated by Shadhona and Manipuri Theatre, to teach Manipuri dance to the Manipuri community in Srimongol, recently commenced at Manipuri Theatre’s own “Nat Mandapa” in Ghoramara, Komolganj. The project, named “Dhrumel,” 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.
The main trainer will be Sweety Das-Chowdhury, from Kolkata. Sweety has trained extensively under Kalavati Devi and has attained her Master’s Degree in Manipuri from Rabindra Bharati University and also has experience in Contemporary Dance.
Besides that, Gurus of the Manipuri community in Komolganj will also be part of the project.
During her welcome-address at the inauguration ceremony of the project, Lubna Marium, dance researcher and General Secretary of Shadhona, put forward the aims and goals of the project. She hopes that trainers from Manipur (India) too will be involved in the project. She also expects that a yearly International Manipuri Dance Festival could be arranged in Komolganj, to attract audiences from far and wide.
A 5 day workshop will be conducted at Ghoramara from June 13 - 17, 2013 at the Manipuri Theatre premises.