Manipuri dance is indigenous to Manipur, the North eastern state of India. It is said to have originated in 2nd century AD though it is not very likely that its early form has had much in common with its contemporary one. The most striking part of Manipur dance is its colorful decoration, lightness of dancing foot, delicacy of abhinaya (drama), lilting music and poetic charm. The themes are mainly devotional in nature. The Manipuri Classical dance is said to be one of the purest, modest, softest and mildest and meaningful dances.
Manipuri Dance is a common name and envelopes all the dance-forms of Manipur. These are the Ras Lila, the Pung Cholom, Nupa Cholom, Thoibi and a host of others. The Ras Lila and the Pung Cholom are the most important ones. In Ras Lila, the theme revolves around the love of Krishna and the milkmaids (gopinis), particularly, the divine love of Krishna and Radha. The Pung Cholom, which is a prelude to Ras Lila, is based upon the drum known as Pung or Manipuri Mridang. In this style, the dancers play the pung at the same time that they are dancing. Sometimes acrobatics are used for an exciting effect, all without breaking the flow of the music.

One of the renowned artist is Padmashri Darshana Jhaveri