We're going to give a glimpse of authentic Manipuri: Warda Rihab

Warda Rihab has been a prominent practitioner and teacher of Manipuri dance in the country for a good while now, and she, along with her troupe, will be performing Manipuri on the third day (November 29) of the Bengal Classical Music Festival 2015 (BCMF15). The artiste spoke to The Daily Star about her production and preparations.

"To participate at a festival as big as BCMF15 is hugely prestigious, but it is more special for me because I get to perform with my troupe. These are dedicated dancers, who have been practicing this dance form for five years, so their styling to body language, everything is on point. We will be a total of 30 performers, of which four are Pung (mridangam) players coming in from Sylhet, and all the others are my students at Dhriti Nartanalaya."

"For a performance at such a big festival, we are leaving no stone unturned to make it totally authentic. From the music to the costume to set and props, everything is Manipuri. I have myself just come back from Manipur, to put on the finishing touches on the production."

"Smt. Bimvabati Devi has choreographed this production for us, called 'Leichan'. She was here for 10 days, and we have just built on it. Her mother, my Guru Smt. Kalavati Devi has greatly helped us at all stages of this production, and I am grateful to her for everything."

"Since this festival began, it was naturally an aspiration for us to perform here, and we hope the organisers and the audience enjoy it. Through this 35-minute piece, we want to show an authentic picture of Manipur, in all its colour and vibrancy."