Das Avatar|Manipuri Classical Dance| Articulating Vaishnavite Religious Tradition| Dr Y. Bidyananda скачать в хорошем качестве

Das Avatar|Manipuri Classical Dance| Articulating Vaishnavite Religious Tradition| Dr Y. Bidyananda

Dr Yumlembam Bidyananda presenting the 'The Das Avatar Dance' during the Two-Day International Conference organised by #ManipurInternationalUniversity on 21st & 22nd November, 2025 at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Angom Colony, Imphal. #TheDasAvatar (Dashavatara) in #Manipuri_classical dance constitutes an important narrative and choreographic work that depicts the ten incarnations of #lordvishnu , central to the Vaishnavite religious tradition of Manipur. Although Manipuri dance is most widely recognized for its lyrical and devotional emphasis on Raas Leela, portraying the divine love of Radha and Krishna, the Das Avatar theme expands the aesthetic and mythological scope of the form by articulating Vishnu’s universal role as the preserver of cosmic order. Rooted in Hindu scriptures and devotional literature such as Jayadeva’s Geeta Govinda, the Das Avatar in Manipuri dance has evolved as a sophisticated dance-drama within the tradition. It has been notably shaped by eminent gurus, including the late Guru Maisnam Amubi Singh & Guru Thingbaijam Babu Singh, whose choreographic interpretations remain influential. The narrative traces Vishnu’s descent through the ten avatars—Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Haladhara (Balarama), Buddha, and Kalki—each symbolizing divine intervention across different cosmic epochs to restore righteousness and balance. Stylistically, the Das Avatar is performed either as a solo or, more commonly, as a group composition, allowing for a comprehensive dramatization of the mythological sequence. While it retains the hallmark qualities of Manipuri dance—soft, rounded movements, fluid transitions, restrained expressiveness, and distinctive costumes. The choreography unfolds as a continuous storyline, distinguishing it from the more episodic and lyrical structure. Musical accompaniment plays a vital role in the presentation, with traditional Manipuri instruments such as the pung (barrel drum), cymbals, flute, and devotional vocal music providing rhythmic and emotive support to the dance. The integration of music, movement, and visual symbolism enables the audience to perceive the philosophical underpinnings of Vaishnavism, particularly the concepts of divine grace, moral evolution, and the cyclical nature of time. In essence, the Das Avatar in Manipuri dance represents a significant expansion of the form’s thematic repertoire. By moving beyond Krishna-centric narratives, it foregrounds Vishnu’s broader cosmological function and affirms the deep spiritual and philosophical foundations of Manipuri Vaishnavism. Celebrated for its refined aesthetics, narrative coherence, and devotional intensity, the Das Avatar remains a vital and expressive component of the Manipuri classical dance tradition.