Rajkumar Achouba Singh

🪔 About

Rajkumar Achouba Singh (also known as Achoubisana), born on December 5, 1936, in Imphal, Manipur, was a distinguished Indian classical dancer, choreographer, teacher, and scholar, renowned for his profound expertise in Manipuri dance forms, particularly Lai Haraoba and Raas, and his integration of the martial art Thang-Ta. He hailed from an artistic family, which fostered his early interest in performing arts. Achouba Singh received extensive formal training in Manipuri dance from esteemed gurus including Ch. Suchindra Singh, R.K. Akesana Singh, Guru Maisnam Amubi Singh, and Guru Haobam Atomba Singh. He further pursued postgraduate studies, earning a Diploma in Manipuri Dance in 1972, a Post Graduate course in Lai Haraoba in 1974, and a Post Graduate course in Raas in 1979, all from the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy. His training in Thang-Ta martial arts was under masters such as Th. Amuba Singh and R.K. Gulamjat Sana. Throughout his career, Rajkumar Achouba Singh dedicated his life to teaching, performing, and preserving Manipuri cultural heritage. He served as a Visiting Guru of Lai Haraoba (Acharya Class) at the Government Dance College and was appointed Principal (Pradhan Guru) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy from 2007. In 2003, he founded Anoi Sindam Pham in Imphal, an institution dedicated to imparting traditional Manipuri dance techniques and preserving authentic forms. He also held the position of Bor Senapati for the Govindajee Temple Board since 1998. A prolific scholar, he authored "Pena Anoi," a significant work on Manipuri music, and regularly contributed articles on Manipuri dances and heritage. His contributions to Indian classical dance were recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri in 2010. Rajkumar Achouba Singh passed away on August 19, 2023. Awards & Honours: Manipur State Kala Akademi Award (1998), Padma Shri (2010), Nritya Ratna (2013), Fellowship on Lai Haraoba dance (1972).