Manipuri

This is a feminine dance form that comes from the mountains region of manipur, situated on the north eastern border of India. The movements of manipuri dance are very tender, lyrical and slow. The moves are not done by force but they contain force that's a distinctive feature about it.the dancers very gently move their arms in arcs and circular motions. There are in fact no sharp edges to any of movements. All the movements of the Dance are in a flow that gives a fluidity and suppleness to the performance and make the dance quite different from the other styles which include quick and rigorous footwork and pirouettes. Even the facial expression is subtle and gentle.

A manipuri dance form has been very much influenced by the religious movements of vaishnaivism, the raasleelas and the worship of lord vishnu. A manipuri dancer wears a long embroidered skirts with transparent veil. The Male dancers play drums called as 'pung' and execute twirls and turns on fast rhythm.