Celebrating Culture Through Song and Dance
Our group of thirteen arrived in Delhi late at night on September 2nd. Delhi was our home base for almost three weeks as we settled into new rhythms and routines.
During our first week we spent time visiting museums, monuments and meeting some families. However, one of my favorite experiences was a Manipur folk dance and song workshop at the Indian International Center. IIC has performances and workshops daily and we were fortunate to have access to some. After about three days in India, seven of us students showed up to this workshop having no idea what to expect. We followed signs to a small room with a stage. People slowly trickled in and the room filled up with people of all ages. There was a combination of people who were also new to the music, as well as some who were very familiar with it.
Before this workshop, I had never even heard of Manipur. Manipur is a small state located in the eastern most point of India, bordering Myanmar. Mangka Maranglambam, a well known and loved musician from Manipur led the workshop. From the moment she started singing, I was captivated. As a music education student, I am always excited to hear and learn about different regions’ traditional music. The songs she sang felt so raw and real. There was nothing flashy about it, and I think that’s why it’s so beautiful.
After a few songs and dances, Mangka invited people to come up to learn a dance. Nobody moved, everyone hoping that someone else would be the first to go. I was hesitant as dancing is not my strong suit, but before we knew it, the whole room was up and dancing. Once I let go of my fear of looking lost and confused, it was a beautiful experience. A group of strangers were suddenly dancing together and connecting with the culture of Manipur. This was a two day program and I left that night filled with energy and excitement for the next day. The second night we learned some more complex songs and dances. 
The whole environment was so supportive and everyone was brought together in a way that I have seen music do time and time again. We ended the night by singing one of the first songs we learned. Despite barely knowing it, it was exciting to sing something that felt familiar. I am so grateful that I got to participate in this workshop. It exposed me to a part of India that most of the world isn’t even aware of. North east India is a region with rich history and culture and I’m glad I got to learn just a little bit. I look forward to more musical experiences in the coming weeks.
-Harper Shue
