AN OVERVIEW ON MANIPURI NATA SANKIRTANA TALA SYSTEM

Abstract

Nata Sankirtana is a form of worship, considered as a Purvaranga. It is the cultural soul of Manipuri society from birth to death which is performed using five different areas such as rituals, pung consisting of taalas or rhythm, songs, dance, and story in worshipping the lord. These different aspects utilized are of a complex nature. At present, these are not found in any part of India except in Manipuri Nata Sankirtana ritualistic performance. Such uniqueness is clearly visible in punglons, the drum-beatd used in Sankirtana since long time. This taala shastra system is not found nowadays in Desi Taala shastra too. Many scholars gave their view that the different aspects of the Margi taala have long been ceased to exist from the Indian soil, except a few mentions in the Shastra. It is the pride and practice of India that such types of Vedic talas found nowhere in India today have long been kept nourished and flourished within the folds of a tiny state like Manipur. It is being felt that some research works are needed to fill up the vacuum that had been created earlier in academic inputs thereby bringing out the real essence and beauty of Nata Sankirtana. This Paper focuses on Manipuri Nata Sankirtana Tala system.