SPIC MACAY

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC AND CULTURE AMONGST YOUTH
TAMIL NADU Chapter

Names of the Pung Cholam Artists from Manipur Academy Imphal

Padma Sri Guru Thanil Singh
Names of artists in the group

1.S. BOY SINGH ( GROUP LEADER )

2.H. IBOMCHA SINGH
3.S. NONGMAIKHOMBA
4.N. BINOY SINGH
5. I. PREMCHAN SINGH
6.W. BASAN SINGH
7.KH. KIRANJOY SINGH
8.E. ANILKUMAR SINGH
9.N. ABANTA SINGH
10.TH. SAMJAI MEITEI
11.L. NIRPEN SINGH

Brief on Guru Sougaijam Thanil Singh (Padmashree)

Son of late S. Ksher Singh, Guru S.Thanil Singh initiated training in Pung from his father and
under (L) Guru Tombi Sharma, (L) Guru Bhaigchandra Singh, (L) Guru Koireng Singh to name
few. He also learnt Manipuri Classical Dance from (L) Guru Amubi Singh (Padmashree). He
served as Pradhan Guru at J.N. Manipuri Dance Academy, a constituent unit of Sangeet Natak
Akademi, Ministry of Culture New Delhi (1998-2005) and officiating Director of the same Academy
for one year (2005-2006). At his age (mid-70s) he is still active to revive old traditional cultures of
Manipur, especially Nata Sankirtana. Realising his contributions he was honoured with Manipuri
State Kala Academy Award (1980), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, New Delhi (1994),
Padmashree (2004), Baidya Ratna, Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Imphal. He also received
fellowship from Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India and from State Government for the research
projects in Nata Sankirtana. Since 1964 he had participated in various important Cultural festivals
in India and abroad. Some of the prestigious of the prestigious Festivals he had participated
abroad where Iran, Iraq, Switzerland, Germany, France, USSR, Italy Bangladesh, China to name
a few.

Synopsis of Pung Sankirtana (Cholom).

Right from the time of Vedic period the use of percussion, song and dance precedes any form of Yagnya
that is known as Sankirtana. In fact Sankirtana was originated from South India. During the course of
time when Hindu religion was deteriorated to its lowest level, the dark days of Hindus in the history of
India ; these Yagnyas were literally disappeared from most part of India. After his Digvijay to south India
Chaitanya Mahaprobhu revived Sankirtana , especially in the eastern coast of India. Norotom Thakur,
disciple of Chaitanya had developed sankirtana as classical art form. In the middle of 17th century the
concept and its philosophical interpretations of Chaitanya was clearly visible in Manipur, mainly due to the
contribution of the then Rajarshee Bhagyachandra (1763-1799 A.D.), who had developed a new Cult called
Gaurya Vaisnava.
Pung, the Manipuri classical percussion, by itself could also perform Sankirtana. Raaga, Taala and Nritama
are all inclusive in totality in Pung Sankirtana. Cholam (the dance) is a part of Pung Sankirtana. Pung
raaga part set on eak taal is to sanctify the space and audience and to placed Mahaprabhu (Avahan) in the
middle of sankirtana. That has to be followed by series of different taalas and has to be performed in
svatic bhava except during pung raga. Some of the taalas are teental, tanchap, raasmel, menkhup etc.
Here mention may be made that all the name of taalas are derived from the Tribhaga pose of Lord
Krishna. Throughout the performance the Palas (male drummers) while beating the taalas always
accompanied with graceful (lasya) and vigorous (tandava) movements. Pung Cholom is not only the
vigorous part but also the slow and graceful movements accompanied by perfect taalas.

Dhon Dhulak Cholom

Holi is one of the famous and Most acclaimed Festival of Manipur and generally celebrated for five
days. Holi Palas (Both Male and Female Choirs) sign and dance while praising Lord Krishna Radha and
Gopies Abir Khel. Dhon and Dhulokd are the accompanying percussions of these Holi Palas. It is highly
acclaimed because of its great skill and agility while performing Cholom (dance). Vigorous beating of drums
and acrobatic body movements, keeping intake the rhythmic of Tala is the characteristic feature of classical
art form.

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