Pung Cholom: The acrobatic drum dance of Manipur

Nov20,2023

One of the most renowned drum dance practiced in the northeastern state of Manipur.

Pung Cholom

This dance form is performed in the spring season that is known as Yaosang, meaning 

Spring Season

This dance involves devotion which is shown in the music as well as the dance. The modulation varies as the performance goes on. It starts softly but ends in a thundering roar at the climax. 

Devotion

The dance mostly involves the male members participating in the dance. The men even perform acrobatics along with the drum beats. 

Acrobatics

The Pung Cholom is an integral part of the Manipuri Sankirtana tradition of Manipur.

Sakirtana Tradition

Pung cholom borrows elements from the Manipuri martial arts, Thang Ta and Sarit Sarak and also from the traditional Maibi Jagoi

Old dance form

In Pung Cholom, eyes play a crucial role since every actions are done through vision. There are three different kinds of the way of looking, on the basis of the distance between the eyes and the objects to be seen

Eye contact