Interview with Jotika and Memthoi.

An interview with Thoidingjam Lakshmipriya Devi and Huidrom Anuradha Devi. daughters of Maharaj Kumari Angousana Devi, of the Shree Shree Govinda Jiu Jalakeli Pala of Manipur. On getting their education, the establishment of Dhanamanjuri University in Manipur by their grandmother Maharani Dhanamanjuri Devi; their education and teachers at Tamphasana Girls High School founded by their aunt Maharaj Kumari Tamphasana Devi; and the founding of Tombisana Boys High School by their second aunt Maharaj Kumari Tombisana Devi.

Thoidingjam Lakshmipriya Devi talks about the Jalakeli. She is the President of the Shree Shree Govinda Jiu Jalakeli Pala. The interview is in Manipuri and in 8 parts: 1) How I came to the Jalakeli 2) My mother Maharaj Kumari Angousana Devi 3) My grandmother Maharani Dhanamanjuri Devi: How she started the Choir of the Daughters-in-Law 4) The Songs of the Choir of the Daughters: The Patronage of the Maharajas 5) How I organize the Jalakeli 6) My aunt Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi: Why she never joined the Jalakeli 7) Where and When the Jalakeli is Offered 8) Remembering their Names: The Invisibility of Women in Manipur's Recorded History The Jalakeli is a HIndu Vaishnav women's performance ritual offered by the two choirs of the Shree Shree Govinda Jiu Jalakeli Pala. The main summer ritual is held every year on Buddha Purnima, the full moon of Kalen (9 May 2017) at the Shree Shree Govindajee Temple of the Royal Palace of Manipur. It is a cycle of songs sung in classical Manipuri sankirtana style by the royal women descendants of Maharaja Narasingh of Manipur (1792-1850). The songs praise Lord Krishna and Lady Radha as they come out to play with …

Interview with Thoibisana Ningthemcha

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Mohinisana Ningthemcha Elangbam Ongbi, renowned in her day as "The Whistler" talks about social values and their impact on marriage and performance. On growing up in a traditional elite family, restrictions on socialising, her arranged marriage, rules of exogamy, worship, and interaction with the royal court.

Sundari Ngangbam, a member of the Choir of the Royal Daughters, reminisces about her father, singer Ngangbam Nimai, Manipur's first recording artist, and her family, the House of Ngangbam to which Maharani Dhanamanjuri Devi belonged.

This video is of Jalakeli, a women's Hindu Vaishnav ritual performance of Manipur, India. It was offered, as annual custom dictates, by the Shree Shree Govinda Jiu Jalakeli Pala on Buddha Purnima, the full moon of the Manipuri lunar month of Kalen (9 May 2017) at the Shree Shree Govindajee Temple of the Royal Palace of Manipur.