Bishnupriya Manipuri Online

Staff Correspondent Manipuri Theatre, a troupe that aims to popularise Manipuri performing arts and culture across the country, will celebrate its 15th anniversary through a daylong programme on September 23 at the Experimental Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka. The Maulvibazar-based troupe will stage its most recent play “Kohe Birangana”, while invited troupe Manipuri Natpala Shilpi Shangstha will stage a demonstration of the indigenous performing art form, Manipuri Natpala. Seasoned theatre personality Mamunur Rashid will be present as chief guest at the inaugural programme. Manipuri Natpala usually narrates the akhyan (story) of Radha, Krishna with a strong essence of Vaishnavism. Incorporating traditional Manipuri dance and music, the performance features local instruments such as mridanga, dhol and kartal. The pala will be directed by noted artiste of the genre, Bidhan Chandra Sinha. The pala will feature eleven performers. “Kohe Birangana” has been written ...

By RK Rishikesh Sinha Have you ever been benefited being a ‘Bishnupriya Manipuri’? In many incidents it has helped me. #1. This incident occurred when we were in Kashmir . I went to my school to receive my Class 12 school passing certificate after few months. My school was situated inside the Air Force campus. The Army jawan was not allowing me to go inside despite seeing me getting down from a fauji vehicle. No matter how much I tried to persuade him. He was adamant on his decision. He seemed to me a new guard, asking me stupid questions. “Do you have your identity card?...Where is your school dress?...From which state are you?...” I answered him all the questions but he didn’t allow me. That very moment, another guard who was inside the bunker, said in a heavy voice, “ Bishnupriya Manipuri log acche log hote hein, jaane do ‘bache ko’ !”. The guard allowed me to enter. Finally I got my passing certificate. #2. In Assam: It was the time when the situation was delicate because of Bi...

Special Correspondent SILCHAR, Sept 11: The visit of Rabindranath Tagore to Sylhet was a historical event which produced a long-lasting impulse on his creative endeavour. It was November 6, 1919 when the great poet, dramatist and novelist visited the Bishnupriya Manipuri village of Machimpur, not far away from the town situated on the bank of river Surma. The Bishnupriya Manipuris celebrated his Nobel Award by felicitating him and according him tumultuous ovation. Manipuri dances were performed to make the visit eventful and memorable, recalled Prof. Dr. Swapan Saha, who has scripted a film on Tagore and Bishnupriya Manipuri connection on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary under the title Vanishing Memories. Dr Saha said Rabindra Nath was so impressed after witnessing the dance composition, the Gostha Lila, that he decided to adopt this dance form to his dance drama. It was the subtlety and rhythm of the dance which stirred him. He was introduced to the exponent of this danc...

by Ritwick Sinha  Class-V-A Don Bosco School, Guwahati. A teacher is called the nation builder. I love my all teachers very much. Their method of teaching is very simple. Their handwriting is very beautiful. They are very punctual. They teach us with love and care. They never beat students. They are very popular among all students. They love all the students like their children. I am proud of my teachers.

Special Correspondent  SILCHAR, Sept 3: Leading Bishnupriya Manipuri organizations have demanded reconstitution of the interim committee of the Bishnupriya Manipuri Development Council with total strength of 25 members. In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister of Assam and the Minister of Tribal and Backward Class Welfare through the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar today, the leaders of the Maha Sabha, Sahitya Sabha, Students’ Union, Women’s Organization, Gana Sangram Parishad of the Bishnupriya Manipuris while expressing their gratitude to the government for providing them Development Council for all round development of their community, they have insisted on constituting the interim committee with proper representation from all leading social organizations with even representation of constituencies.   They have pointed out that the structure of 15-member committee has not been adhered to till date. Out of the 15 members, three are yet to be inducted. After the re...