WHERE RITUAL FINDS RHYTHM

We journey into a Manipuri folk dance shaped by ritual and ancestral memory

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RITUALS, CULTURE, HERITAGE, and traditions form the fulcrum of Manipur. From the Phanek to the Eromba, from the Kauna crafts to the Khongjom Parba ballads, and the Lai Haraoba festival, all make up this hidden gem of India.

It is said that it takes a long time to discover the cultural nuances of a place, and today, Nganbi Chanu discusses Thougal Jagoi, a folk dance performed during the Lai Haraoba festival. Performed by men and women in vibrant costumes and accompanied by music, one cannot stop themselves from swaying to the beats.

On the sidelines of their performance at the Folk and Tribal Arts and Crafts Festival by the Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth (SPIC MACAY) in Delhi, we catch up with him to discover more about the folk form. Excerpts:

How would you describe the cultural significance of Thougal Jagoi?