Performance and myth in the Manipuri Raas Leela

Performance and myth in the Manipuri Raas Leela

Special Desk :    |    ০৬:০৯ পিএম, ২০২১-০৮-১১

Manipuri culture is greatly influenced by the Raas Leela. According to the English language, this is a dance of passion and divine love. They perform the Raas Leela as a symbol of their devotion to Lord Krishna. Krishnakumari Sinha, 76, is one of Bangladesh's most renowned artists of this traditional art form. Many have also referred to her as a guru for more than three decades. Krishnakumari Sinha talks to The Daily Star about the Manipuri Raas Leela, with her two disciples Sharmila Sinha and Jyoti Sinha.

At 18, Krishnakumari Sinha became the first singer to participate in traditional, Manipuri performances. To date, she has sung in more than 300 Manipuri Raas Leelas as the Sutradhari or the main narrator, including her own region in Kamalgonj, Sylhet, and India's Assam, Tripura. Besides, she has participated in more than a hundred Raas Leelas as a dancer. She has conducted close to 30 Raas Leelas.

She also conducted experimental work on other Manipuri performances. "I began as a singer. Eventually, I learned the dance and began to direct my own versions of the Raas Leela," she recalled. The journey was not easy; she had to prove her diligence to her masters for approval.  "I was married off at a tender age. However, I had the opportunity to learn from four gurus, and acquire knowledge of Raas Leela," said Krishnakumari Sinha. According to her, the gurus hold an important position in the propagation of the art form.

 Sharmila Sinha, one of her students, is a vocalist at Manipuri Theatre and a lecturer at Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury Mohila College in Kamalgonj. She said, "Natsankirtan is the main part of our culture, and Guruvandana is sung immediately after Gauravandana. The concept of Guru-Shishya Parampara is an integral part of the cultural concept."