Manipuri troupe dazzles at Chingay

THIS year's Chingay Parade was the largest so far, with 11,000 performers - both local and international - thrilling audiences over two nights, with an additional performance on Orchard Road on March 1.

The Indian contingent featured performers from Narpani Pearavai, the People's Association's coordinating council for Indian Activity Executive Committees across Singapore, and a dol cholam troupe from Manipur comprising 40 performers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy.

The troupe was brought in by the Indian high commission to add a novel Indian flavour to the parade, integrating with the local contingent in a reaffirmation of the 50 years of bilateral relations between India and Singapore.

The troupe dazzled audiences with their dance, characterised by the dhol drumbeats, acrobatic moves and elements of the Manipuri martial arts style Thang Ta.

The troupe's choreographer, Mr W. Lokendrajit Singh, has been with the academy since 1985. Though it has performed in many different places, performing in Singapore was different, he said.

He explained that they usually perform the dol cholam dance with traditional music, in a traditional style, but for Chingay, the troupe had to adjust its style to work with the local performers.

The troupe flew back to India on March 3.

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