We now learn from history that  the gracefully choreographed dance form of  Raas Leela typically associated with Manipuri performance art was first introduced decades ago, sometime in 1779 by Ningthou Ching-Thang Khomba, also known as Rajarshi Bhagya Chandra, a 18th century Meitei monarch. Raas Leela from it’s very inception has been dedicated to Lord Krishna and his beloved, Radha, who are seen in divine dalliance with the ’gopis’  who have forsaken their regular lives to be in the proximity of Lord Krishna. Radha Krishna’s divine love is spiritual, which are expressed to the audience through exquisite mudras of the Raas Leela performance. The traditional  Manipuri Raas Leela celebrates different seasons like the Basanta Raas - which is performed on Purnima or a full moon night in spring. Then, the Maha Raas -  performed on a full moon night in winter, usually November-December. Apart from these genres, there other forms of Raas Leela, like the Nitya Raas, or Kunja Raas or even Diba Raas to be performed according to custom, only during the day. What first drew the  photographer Sanjay Das’s attention was not just the grace and beauty of the dance form but how unique the performance was compared to other Indian classical dances. As he started taking pictures, he was fascinated to see that their costumes were indigenous and inspired by the Manipuri traditions.  As the exhibition reveals, the Raas Leela tradition encompasses Indian festivals and seasons beautifully, with the dancers bringing alive different narratives imaginatively. For his part, Sanjay is not just documenting their performances but also immersed in the moment, learning about the world he knew so little about. The result is magical. An intimate glimpse of the gracious dancers as they perform before an audience. In his images, he captures the lovelorn Radha and the divine Krishna, as they enact diverse moods and experiences,surrounded by the gopis  he identifies as Lalita, Vishakha, Chitra, Champaklata, Tungavidya, Indurekha, Rangadevi and Sudevi. While presenting this exhibition at MuseoCamera Sanjay Das has selected his most outstanding photographs associated with the dance from his archives that date back to the first time he discovered the art form of Raas Leela. The series is dedicated to Basant Raas, since it is the season of Spring, the performances that took place in the medieval temple courtyard of Radhakund, near Vrindavan. 

Sanjay Das who has been documenting the life & work of many different communities and cultures across India presents a body of work that involved research and indefatigable energy. His engagement with the dancers and musicians have yielded an amazing insight into the distinctive history of the Raas Leela tradition. This is the first time he will be showing the images in the city, we hope you too will be entranced. 
 

The exhibition will be open to the public from 25th March till 30th March 2025 from 11AM till 7PM