Guru Bipin Singh

🪔 About

Guru Bipin Singh (1918-2000) was a towering figure in Indian classical dance, widely recognized as one of the foremost exponents, choreographers, teachers, and scholars of Manipuri dance. Born on August 23, 1918, in Singhari village near Silchar, Assam, into a Bishnupriya Manipuri family, he was immersed in a rich cultural environment; his father, Laikhomsana Singh, was a poet, and his mother, Indubala Devi, a vocalist. Singh received early training in music and dance within his family before undergoing formal instruction in Manipuri dance under traditional gurus, including Guru Amudon Sharma and Guru Amubi Singh, with patronage from the Maharaja of Manipur. He also studied various traditional forms like Ras Leela, Lai Haraoba, and Nata Sankirtana, mastering elements such as mnemonic syllables and pung (drum) playing. Beginning his career as a performer and choreographer, Guru Bipin Singh dedicated himself to preserving, documenting, and promoting Manipuri dance, which was largely confined to ritualistic contexts at the time. He developed a distinctive choreographic and pedagogical approach, synthesizing diverse Manipuri traditions and adapting them for wider audiences while maintaining their classical and spiritual foundations. His efforts led to the development of a structured pedagogical system and a unique choreographic style, contributing significantly to establishing Manipuri dance on the national and international stage. He pioneered solo Manipuri dance recitals and authored comprehensive training courses, codifying oral traditions into written syllabi. In 1972, Guru Bipin Singh co-founded the Manipuri Nartanalaya in Kolkata, with branches in Mumbai and Imphal, in collaboration with his prominent disciples, the Jhaveri Sisters and Kalavati Devi. He also founded the Govindji Nartanalaya in Imphal. These institutions became vital centers for teaching, research, and disseminating Manipuri dance, producing several generations of notable dancers. His choreographic works, such as Mangalacharan, Ek Gopi Ek Shyam, Krishna Roop Barnan, Nanichuri, and Balaram Nartan, enriched the dance form's repertoire. Guru Bipin Singh passed away on January 9, 2000, in Kolkata, leaving an indelible mark on Manipuri dance and inspiring countless dancers and scholars worldwide. Awards & Honours: Nrityacharya (Hanjaba), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1966), Nrityacharya Award (1973), Sharangadev Fellowship, Kalidas Samman, Anamika Kala Sangam Award, Shiromoni Purashkar, West Bengal State Academy Award, Uday Shankar Fellowship, Sangeet Shamala Award, Ojha Ratna, Emeritus Fellowship by Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, Bhuwalka Award.