EVOLUTION OF MARABAK JAGOI

Abstract

The colourful Kaleidoscope of Manipur society and culture has been a topic that aroused the inquisitiveness in the minds of erudite scholars and researchers all across the world.One intrusion of cultural movement from outside in Manipur in the beginning of the 20^th century was the British proscenium theatre. PrabasMeelan, the MandapLeela which was previously played at the royal palace was for the first time played at the British proscenium theatre in 1902.. The first half of the 20^th Century was time of a big change of Manipuri culture with the entering of the movements of MarabakJagoi in Manipur.The dancing of MarabakJagoiusually by two women wearing sari and Ghungru (Nupur) at the ankle, to the tunes of musical instruments i.e. harmonium, table, sitar etc., as well as, the singing by good oja (teachers) of songs based on Jaydeva’sGeetgovinda, VaisnavaRadavali, ShrimadBhagavat, Mahabharata etc. was the best audience pulling show of the time.In performing a MarabakJagoiprogramme the services of artistes who can play harmonium sing kirtan and other songs and various other musical instruments are very much needed.