**DR. NONGHOMBAM PREMCHAND** The Meiteis, who have settled down over the fertile valley of about 700 square miles of Manipur, have a number of theatrical forms of religious origin, which can be seen through all the cycles of seasons of the year. They can be divided broadly into two groups based on their religious association and differences in the style of performance. The first is the pre-Hindu form which is associated with the old, non-Hindu religion of the Meiteis. The second is the form which came into existence after the Meiteis were converted into Hinduism in the 18th century during the reign of king Pamheiba.