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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 […]
Laihui Children’s class with Mangka.
Children’s music class at Laihui. With Mangka Mayanglambam. Laihui is a center for the traditional performing arts in Imphal, Manipur. Founded in the 1980s by a collective of musicians and artists they are working to preserve and protect the music and dance of the region. Every […]
A lesson with the Maibi of Manipur. Ima Dhoni Amaibi.
Ima Dhoni Amaibi is the current senior Amaibi at the JN Manipur Dance Academy. This set of short videos were taken at her home in Imphal as she gives lessons to other Maibi and a research student from the university. (Special thank you to Ima […]
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 […]
Maibi’s, Kanglei Thokpa / Lai Nupi Thiba. Trance Dance of Lai Haroaba.
Of the Amaibi’s ritual dances, perhaps the most beautiful and dramatic is the Kanglei Thokpa, known also as Lai Nupi Thiba, “the Lai searching for their bride”. It is a trance dance of the highest order, mystical, theatrical, and at times ominous. Traditionally the Lai […]
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 […]
Video Documentation and Storytelling
The master Pena Khongba (musician), Oja Kangembam Mangi plays the ritual morning invocations of Lai Haraoba known formally as Yakeiba and more popularly as Yakairol. One of the great values of these recording are their capture in their actual setting at the Manipur ritual festival of Lai Haraoba. These song of praise […]
Mangka sings Moirang Sai with Laihui Ensemble
Manipuri folk singer, Mangka Mayanglambam performs the traditional Meitei performance style known as Moirang Sai (Tales from Moirang Khamba Thoibi). Mangka performs the two most popular sections of the repertoire, Kwakta Lamjel (The Tournament Race at Kwakta). The set is produced by Seven Sisters Music, with […]
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 […]
Manipur and its unique Folk Music and Dances
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 […]
Documentation and Fine Art Photography
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. ~ ~ ~