What is the connection between Lai Haraoba and Manipuri dance?

Lai Haraoba, which translates to "merrymaking of the gods," is considered the oldest form of Manipuri dance. It serves as a foundational root for the broader tradition, predating the later Vaishnavite influences that introduced themes of divine love and the formalized raslila dance-drama.12

As a pre-Vaishnavite festival that is still practiced today, Lai Haraoba depicts the story of cosmic creation through dance. It is performed as a ritual offering led by maibas (priests) and maibis (priestesses). While later forms of Manipuri dance, such as raslila, focus on the devotional worship of Krishna and Radha, Lai Haraoba is distinct in its ritualistic nature and is accompanied by the pena, a traditional bowed string instrument. Together, these elements illustrate the evolution of the region's dance from ancient, ritualistic storytelling to the highly refined classical form recognized today.12