Obhi (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Just read your comments. Actually, the commentary simply begins 'From a remote valley in the north-eastern corner of India ...' so the reference was to its geographical isolation and no more.

bck70 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Manipur is isolated by restriction under the union of India. So current historians have a restrictive perspective. But historically manipur was never isolated from the rest of Asia.

bck70 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Thanks Mr/Ms Obhi, Yes perhaps Manipur is geographically isolated but it wil be wrong to construe it as an isolated civilization. Its has allways linked from souther China to the Bay of Bangal

Obhi (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Thanks - according to R K Singhajit Singh's book on Manipuri dance, "Surrounded by various mountain ranges and geographically isolated, a civilisation flourished at the meeting-point of the orient and mainland India. The location became an ideal crucible for a sophisticated culture with a strong individuality to flourish." Manipuri dance remains an integral part of religious and social life, unlike other Indian classical dances.

bck70 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

it will be wrong to term Manipur a remote place on earth.The only difference between the rest of Indian culture and classical dances and Manipuri is that Manipuri represent to a considerable extend the Asian originality and the rest of indian classical dance have stricking resemblance with the pre Islamic Middle eastern culture and folk dances still prevailand in the remote area of the ancient Mesopotamia.