The classical dance form of Manipuri is the main dance of Manipur. The best part about the dance of Manipur is that besides the Manipuri Dance, it has retained the ancient and folk forms of dances. The dance of Manipur essentially has religious inclination and it reveals the story of spiritual experiences and salvation. Since its inception, the dance of Manipur was only performed in the temple premises and it was only in the 20th Century that the performances of Manipuri dances began on stage.
A precursor to the Manipuri dance, the Lai Haroba is a ritualistic dance of Manipur which depicts the story of creation. Although Lai Haroba is not as popular as the Manipuri dance, it is still practiced and is a living tradition.
The dance of Manipur mainly revolves around the life of Krishna. Sankirtana and the Raas Leela are two main components of this form of dance. A major feature of the dance of Manipur is its colorful dresses. The girls are draped in vibrant and beautifully embroidered stiff skirts, blouse and a translucent veil. Some of the other dances of Manipur are:
- The Khamba Thoibi dance of Manipur is a duet of a male and a female which is dedicated to the sylvan deity.
- Performed during the festival of Lai- Haraoba, the Maibi Dance is a way of recreating life as in the past.
- Nupa Pala also known as the Cymbal dance is a special kind of dance. This dance is usually performed by a group of men with cymbals.
- Ras Lila depicts the love affair of Lord Krishna and Radha. This dance of Manipur is usually performed in an enclosure in the temple.
- Pung Cholom is actually performed to mark the invocation of the Sankirtana and Ras Lila. It is classical form of dance of Manipur.