Anjika, Centre for Manipuri Dance and Movement Therapy was opened in December,1995 with the blessings of Maharajkumari Binodini Devi,Pandit Khelchandra Singh, Ojha Th. Babu Singh and Ojha Kumar Maibi. Since then Anjika has been engaged in propagating and preserving the beautiful pristine tradition of the Manipuri dance and at the same time encouraging new choreographic works.
In January 1996, Anjika staged MAHARAS- the most gorgeous of the Ras Leelas of Manipur in Kolkata. Forty emininent Gurus and artistes came from Imphal and the Ras Leela was performed abiding with full traditional customs and rituals.
Subsequent to this followed productions for children like PEBBET and KRISHNA LEELA based on the Manipuri legends and folk tales.
In 1998, Anjika opened in Imphal with the performance of Kavi Jayadeva’s GEETA GOVINDA in the Kalimai Temple The second day featured the contemporary choreography OLIVE GREEN based on the present turmoil in Manipur. It was an honour for Anjika that the Center was inaugurated by the then governor of Manipur, Mr. Srivastava.
In 1999, MEIHOUROL- tracing the origins of Manipuri Dance- a seminar was held in Kolkata. Again, 35 eminent Gurus and artistes from Manipur discussed , deliberated and demonstrated the intricacies of Manipuri dance traditions of Thang Ta, Lai Haraoba, Ras Leela and Sankirtana. This was held in collaboration with the Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India and the Manipur Museum.
The year 2000-01 saw the emergence of “KHUMAN- the Black Sun” and “NAHAL NIONG- once upon a time”. Both choreographies have a contemporary treatment and at the same time are steeped in Manipuri dance and music traditions of pena and the pung.
It was in the year 2003 that Anjika assisted Dr. Nara Singh, the then Hon’ble Minister of Culture, Govt. of Manipur in hosting the Manipuri festival in Kolkata. About 600 artistes came from Manipur and the festival was held for seven days in collaboration with Dept. Of Culture, Govt. of India and Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata.. This festival featured a) Manipuri dance- both classical and folk , b) Manipuri theatre and Sumangleela, c) Manipuri films, d) crafts and textiles and e) cuisine.
In 2004-05, Anjika started KALPANA, a festival of classical dance in collaboration with Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. So far, KALPANA has featured brilliant performances by Smt. Mrinalini Sarabhai and Mallika Sarabhai, Smt. Kumudini Lakhia and Kadamb, Sonal Mansingh, Leela Samson, Madhavi Mudgal and Alarmel Valli.
In 2005, Anjika hosted GUJARAT DARPAN showcasing the splendour of Gujarat over four days in Kolkata. This festival; featured classical and folk dances, painting exhibition of Sri Ravi Shankar Raval;s works and Gujarati theatre. A total of 300 artistes participated and the event was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal, Sri Gopalkrishna Gandhi and Smt. Aparna Sen. This was held in collaboration with the Govt. of Gujarat and astern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata.