Manipur's Thabal Chongba Dance

Participants which include both young and old performing Thabal Chongba, during the Yaoshang Festival in Imphal - Manipur.

Thabal Chongba or dancing in the moonlight (literal meaning: moonlight jumping or leaping)

Traditionally, conservative Kangleicha( Manipuri ) parents did not allow their daughters to go out and meet any young men without their consent. Thabal Chongba therefore provided the only chance for girls to meet and talk to boys. In earlier times, this dance was performed in the moonlight accompanied by folk songs. The music is rhythmic beating of drums accompanied by other instruments. It is performed in every locality on all the five days of the festival. As soon as the moon rises over the hills the flute, the drums and the cymbals starts pouring out music. The boys and girls in a circle clutch each other's hands with rhythms of music slow and fast, high and low, up and down. If the number is great they may form two or three rows so that everybody and anybody can participate in the dance.

These dances are organized by the girls by collecting donations from the neighbourhood. The boys of the locality help them in the arrangements. All boys except those of the locality organizing the dance can participate in the dance.

Yaaosang is a festival celebrated in spring season starting from the full moon day of Lamda(March) for six whole days by the Manipuris living in the world. It is the Manipuri version of the famous Hindu festival, Holi. Thabal chongba, a Manipuri folk dance is performed during this festival. Like holi, the Hindus of Manipur play with colours during this festival.

Source: wikipedia

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