"CELESTIAL DANCERS OF MANIPUR"

Under the “Distinguished Persons’ Lecture” series, the Consulate General of India, New York, organized a film screening of Doordarshan's (national TV channel of India) "Celestial Dancers of Manipur" by Mr. Benoy K. Behl, a renowned art historian and photographer, on May 23, 2012. Prior to the screening of the film, Mr. Behl had an interesting interactive session with the audience.

Recalling his various accomplishments, such as over 36,000 photographs of Asian monuments and art heritage, hundreds of documentaries on art history, besides the Chair of Buddhist Art, Architecture and Philosophy, Centre of Indology, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, etc., Amb Prabhu Dayal, Consul General of India, New York, described Mr. Behl as India’s celebrated film-maker, art-historian and photographer who has made an indelible mark in this field. His documentaries on “The Paintaings of India” and “The Sculpture of India” have been telecast on prime time Doordarshan in India as well as at various universities and museums in several countries around the world, he added.

Explaining the background of this art form, Mr. Benoy Behl elaborated on the reverence with which Raasalila is performed at Lai Haroba to please traditional deities and its association with the Meiteis, a majority ethnic group of Manipur. Stating that not many are aware that the inhabitants of Manipur have best preserved the joy of the adoration of Krishna more than in any other part of India and that the people of Manipur, in fact, believe that they are the descendants of Gandharvas, celestial musicians, and have always sought communion with the Divine through music and dance, Mr. Behl invited the audience to enjoy the film.

The film screening, attended by 55 persons, ended with a lively question and answer session and dinner.

****