On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore—poet, philosopher, and a titan of Indian culture—we fondly remember not just his timeless literary contributions, but also his pioneering role in the cultural integration of India’s diverse traditions. Among his many legacies, one lesser-acknowledged yet profoundly impactful contribution was his deep engagement with Manipuri dance and culture—a relationship that blossomed into a lasting bond between Bengal and Manipur.
Tagore’s fascination with Manipuri dance began in 1919, during a visit to Sylhet (now in Bangladesh), where he witnessed a performance by Manipuri boys and girls. Struck by the spiritual grace and lyrical beauty of the dance, the poet's artistic sensibility was stirred. His journey of appreciation continued as he traveled to Agartala, Tripura, where more performances further enchanted him. These experiences left an indelible mark on his artistic vision. Realizing the potential of this classical form, Tagore took a decisive step—he reached out to the then Maharaja of Tripura, Brajendra Kishore Manikya, requesting him to send a teacher of Manipuri dance to Santiniketan. The Maharaja responded generously, and Rajkumar Budhimanta became the first Manipuri dance teacher at Visva-Bharati.
In 1925, renowned dance guru Nabakumar Singh and his brother Baikantha joined the mission, sowing the seeds of what would grow into a thriving department of Manipuri dance at Santiniketan. Through Tagore's efforts, Manipuri dance found an institutional home and international platform. It was not mere cultural appreciation—it was cultural transformation. What Tagore gave to the world of Manipuri dance and music was not just recognition, but revival, relevance, and reverence. Interestingly, Tagore never set foot in Manipur. Denied entry by the British Political Agent of the time, he was left to imagine the land through stories, conversations, and the spirit of its art. Yet, his understanding of its essence was so vivid that he could portray Manipur beautifully in his literary masterpiece Chitrangada. In this poetic drama, Manipur's mythical grandeur comes alive, filtered through Tagore’s universal lens of beauty, dignity, and human emotion. The poet’s influence in Manipur took deep roots.
Celebrated Manipuri poet Ashangbam Minaketan Singh (1906–1995) openly acknowledged Tagore’s inspiration. His debut poetry collection, Vasanta Sheireng (Spring Muse), published in 1930, was deeply influenced by Tagore’s Gitanjali. This was only the beginning. By the third decade of the 20th century, Tagore’s presence in Manipur became vibrant and widespread, transcending mere admiration to become a part of Manipuri literary and cultural identity. The publication of the Rabindra Nachom volumes in 1971 and 1978—containing select works of Tagore translated into Manipuri—further ignited interest among Manipuri readers. His poems, songs, characters, and philosophies became household treasures.
The songs were sung from memory, the plays performed with passion, and the poems echoed in native verses. Today, Rabindranath Tagore remains a luminous symbol of cultural excellence for the people of Manipur. He is loved not merely as a distant national icon but as someone who understood and embraced the spirit of the land and its people. His legacy continues to inspire generations of Manipuri writers, artists, and dancers who see in him a bridge between tradition and modernity, between Manipur and the wider world. As we celebrate Tagore’s birth anniversary, we do not just remember a poet—we remember a visionary who built cultural bridges with love and respect. And among those bridges, his connection with Manipuri dance and culture stands as one of the most graceful, enduring, and beautiful of them all.
