Pala Kirtana, also known as Kartal Cholom, is a traditional dance form of
Manipur. It is performed during all the major events and festive occasions.
The Pala Kirtana is performed with a ‘dhak’ (ancient drum) and a ‘kartal’ (cymbal). The artists are all male, which includes an ‘ishalpa’ (main singer) and a ‘duhar’ (leader of the dance). All the performers wear a large white colored ball-shaped turban. Each of them, holding a cymbal, sings and dances to the rhythm of the drum. The initial movements are slow but gather pace towards the end of the dance.
