Literal Perspective 0f Rass Leela As An Indian Classical Dance

Abstract

Manipuri dance underwent several changes during the 20^th century A.D. The British officers did very early know that tiny state called Manipur was having a magnificent object of traditional art called “Jagoi Rasa”. It is also quite certain that no Indian political leaders of new India would ignore the opinion of Rabindranath when they thought of reconstructing the Indian dance and music tradition by determining four Indian classical dances. Viswa Kavi Rabindranath Thakur and some other important Indians leaders endeavoured to have a healthy existence of Indian classical dances including our Manipuri dance also. It was the British officers only who really nurtured and nourished Indian culture. They really knew the value of culture and its usefulness to human society. As a result of a determined long struggle to free India from British colonial rule and to create a country called Bharatvarsha by uniting many princely states under the able leadership of Mahatma Gandhi together with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel etc. India won freedom and an independent India was born. With this, India desired to reconstruct its old tradition including its own music and dance. Thus, in the development of the existence of age long tradition of its classical dances can be achieved and as a matter of fact that the present form of Manipuri Raas could also be placed in the priority of Indian classical dance.