Category: Chakpa
Lai Haraoba, Leisem Jagoi (Dances of Devotion) Chakpa Phayeng
Leisem Jagoi Chakpa Phayeng Another Phayeng Leisem Jagoi by Iche Thabhallei of Phayeng. She may be the only person who still can perform this special ancient dance. 1st dance 2nd dance
Oja Dingbulung: Music of the Kabui (Rongmei) Naga tribe of Manipur
One of the elders of the Kabui Naga community is Oja Dingbulung. He lives with his family at Mahabali Kabui Khul, a tribal neighborhood near the palace grounds in Imphal. Oja has great knowledge of many rare and disappearing songs of his tribe the […]
Puthem Chaobi sings folksongs from Chakpa Andro village, Manipur.
Puthem Chaobi is a folksinger of the Chakpa village of Andro, East Imphal,Manipur. She can recall many of the traditional folksongs of her village which no one else remembers or sings. We were able to record Iche Puthem Chaobi during December of 2013. The recording […]
Traditional and rare folksongs from Kakching, with Ima Chandani
Here are some rare folksongs performed by Ima Yehkhom Chandani Leima. Ima remembers some of the songs from her youth. Today many songs are being forgotten and it is only the elder folks of the villages who retain them. Perhaps Ima Chandani is the only […]
Lai Ishei Shakpa of Chakpa Phayeng. Lullaby to the Lai.
The Lai Ishei Shakpa are the unique ritual songs sung at the Chakpa Phayeng Lai Haraoba. They could be said to be Lullaby that sends the Lai deities to sleep at the close of each evening program. The Ishei Shakpa are sung by the Arangbi […]
The book: Dance Music and Ritual in Manipur
With over 300 photographs and comprehensive text, Dance Music and Ritual in Manipur is the first in depth English language book focusing on the indigenous folk performing arts of Manipur in Northeast India. Written and photographed by Byron Aihara, the project has received the support and […]
About Seven Sisters Music and Byron Aihara
Byron Aihara is a filmmaker, photographer, and writer. For the past six years he has centered his work on exploring and documenting the traditional performance arts of the Northeast state of Manipur in India. He has published a book titled, Dance Music and Ritual in […]
PDF draft-version: Manipur Folksongs of Longing and Desire
This is a PDF rough draft of my new book, “Manipur Folksongs of Longing and Desire”. Please do not share. It is for editing and advice. Your feedback is appreciated. Please email me at my gmail account. byron.aihara @gmail.com “Life is what happens when […]
Gallery – Fine Art Prints
Limited edition, signed, printed on fine art papers. Contact: byron.aihara@gmail.com for sizes and details. 25% of proceeds go to (WAHPS) Wildlife And Habitat Protection Society, Punshilok. ~ ~ ~