Architecture s, the dragon lions, inside the
Kangla, the old
metropolis of
Ancient Kangleipak The architectural works of the
Meitei ethnicity is best known through its
Meitei temples as well as ancient
buildings including palaces, court halls, offices, entrance gates and so on.
Notable structures Cinema , a 1990 Indian
Meitei language film, was screened in the
Un Certain Regard section in the
1991 Cannes Film Festival, and again after a gap of 33 years, it was recognized as a "World Classic" in the
2023 Cannes Film Festival. Notably, it was the only
film selected from India for the event in that year.
Dance The steps, gaits and poses of using and in the traditional Meitei dance-cum-martial art form of
Thang-Ta form the basic foundation of the classical choreographic steps of
Lai Haraoba,
Manipuri Raas Leela,
Meitei Sankirtana and
Pung Cholom. The
Manipuri classical dance, also known as the
Manipuri Raas Leela (), is a
jagoi and is one of the major
Indian classical dance drama forms, originating from . Formally developed by
Meitei Hindu King of
Manipur Kingdom in the 18th century CE, the Manipuri classical dance form, which is considered to be the highest spiritual expression of the worship of Hindu deity
Krishna, spreads across the
Indian subcontinent in subsequent centuries. Owing to its huge influences on the diverse cultural heritages across India, it is recognised by the
Sangeet Natak Akademi of the
Ministry of Culture of the
Government of India as one of the few primary classical dance forms of the
Republic of India, and is honoured with the
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Manipuri every year.
Pung Cholom and
Meitei Nata Sankirtana are the other classical dance forms, which are also related to the
Manipuri Raas Leela. The ritualistic and theatrical dances of the
Lai Haraoba, in general and one of its primary forms, the in particular, are also considered to be classical dances. Notably,
Lai Haraoba's is one of the cultural elements, giving inspirations to the development of the
Manipuri Raas Leela classical dance drama form.
Dance and Music Music Nat (a shortened form of
Meitei Nat Sankirtan) is a classical form of
music of Manipur. It is a product of the
Sanskritisation of traditional Meitei culture with
Hindu culture by the
Brahmanas, having 6 ragas and 36 raginis. Contrasting to the other forms of
Indian classical music, which are performed by sitting, in the
Meitei Nata-Sankirtana, artists perform musical instruments as well as sing songs, simultaneously performing the delicate movements of the body and hands, based on the form of , aligning to different footsteps, based on the .
Martial arts Sculptures Theatre Notable productions Notable personalities Meitei adaptations of classical Greco-Roman plays Numerous theatrical plays based on
Antigone, a princess from
ancient Greek mythology, was and is frequently produced in Meitei language in its own adaptation, in
Imphal.
Malemnganbi is a Meitei adaptation of
Sophocles'
ancient Greek tragedy play named
Antigone, rescripted by
Makhonmani Mongsaba and directed by
Chanam Nillabira Meitei. In 1985–86, Lengshonnei, a play based on Antigone, adapted into Meitei language, by
Ratan Thiyam, was performed in
Imphal. Some sources say that he adapted from
Antigone (Sophocles play) while some others assert that it was from
Antigone (Brecht play).
Hojang Taret is a
classical Meitei language play based on
Euripides's
ancient Greek tragedy named
"The Phoenician Women". Directed by Oasis Sougaijam and produced by The Umbilical Theatre in
Imphal, the play shows the moral uncertainty of the royal sibling rivalry that led to the destruction of the ancient city of
Thebes, Greece.
Meitei adaptations of classical Sanskrit plays Classical Sanskrit plays such as
Urubhangam (originally authored by
Bhasa in 2nd-3rd century CE) was reproduced into its Meitei version by
Ratan Thiyam, shown in
Imphal,
Panaji,
Edinburgh, as well as in
Athens. Its another Meitei version was directed by Uttamkumar Naorem, shown in
Kakching. Others include
Shakuntala (based on
Kalidas'
Abhigyanam Shakuntalam), directed by Kshetri Jugindro, shown in the Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy in
Imphal.
Bhagwatajjukiyam (based on Bodhayana's
Bhagavadajjukam) was produced in a Meitei version, directed by Kshetri Jugindro, under the "Manipuri Ensemble", notably staged in the 2023
Bharat Rang Mahotsav. == Clothing ==