Recently the ancient culture of India was presented in Bulgaria through the program of the International Folklore Festival in Veliko Tarnovo and several other forums held under the auspices of CIOFF (Council of Organizations of International Folklore Festivals). On Radio Bulgaria we brought you special reports on the folklore festivals in Veliko Tarnovo and the village of Chelopech where we had guests from India.

One of them was Mr. Ningthoudjam Nabachandra Singh - singer and artistic Director of the Thoibi Manipuri Dance and Cultural Research Institute. With the support of the Government of India, the Embassy of India at home and the East – West Indologic Foundation, ten dancers, singers and instrumentalists from the Thoibi Manipuri Dance and Cultural Research Institute presented to the Bulgarian audience the ancient folk and classical Manipuri dance from the state of Manipuri located in eastern India. They performed in Veliko Tarnovo, Razgrad, Koprivshtitsa, and Chelopech.

Mr. Ningthoudjam Nabachandra Singh talked to RB’s Albena Bezovska, telling us more about the creation of the cultural center which he now manages. The music and dance of Manipur accompanied the evolution of the people in these lands, says Mr. Ningthoudjam. From him we learn also about Pena - one of the oldest instruments in the world, which today is part of the rituals, dances and songs of Manipur.

“To me, such events are very important because they show how close the traditions of different peoples really are. However different in appearance we might be, we all share a sun and a sky”, said Mr. Ningthoudjam Nabachandra Singh.

Author Albena Bezovska

English: Rossitsa Petcova