Nayana Jhaveri: A Life in Lasya

Nayana Jhaveri, was the lead dancer of the Jhaveri Sisters Classical Manipuri Dance Company established in 1957. She dedicated her life to the mission of creating a Classical Dance Repertoire to preserve and perform the classicism of the traditional temple raslila form of Manipur. Born in 1927, Nayana Jhaveri was a professional Manipuri dancer in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s.

She received the Sangeet Natak Academy award for 1977 for her relentless efforts to bring Manipuri dance from temple to stages of the world. Nayana won the Sangeet Natak Academy award in 1967 and her sister Darshana won the Padma Shri in 1985.

They travelled across the globe, performed for world leaders, set up institutions to teach Manipuri dance. They lived and breathed Manipuri. The Jhaveri Sisters along with their gurus were instrumental in bringing the Manipuri dance form from temple to stage.