Rajkumar Singhajit Singh

🪔 About

Rajkumar Singhajit Singh (3 November 1932 – 19 November 2024) was a preeminent Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and guru, widely recognized as a leading exponent of Manipuri dance. Born in Imphal, Manipur, into a distinguished family of traditional artists, he was immersed in the region's rich cultural heritage from an early age. His foundational training included Pung (Manipuri mridanga) under Ojha Hanglem Iboton Singh, specializing in Manipuri dance forms like Jagoi under Guru Maisnam Amubi Singh, and mastering Kartal Cholom (cymbal dance) with Guru Thangjam Chaoba Singh. He also trained in Ras Leela under Guru Thambal Angou Singh and learned martial arts (Sword & Spear) from Guru Ojha Gaura Singh. In the mid-1950s, Singhajit Singh relocated to Delhi, joining Triveni Kala Sangam in 1954 as the Head of the Manipur Dance Section. He later founded the Triveni Ballet in 1962, serving as its Director and Principal Dancer. In 1998, he established his own institution, Manipuri Nrityashram, in New Delhi, dedicated to preserving and promoting the art form. Throughout his illustrious career, Singhajit Singh distinguished himself as an outstanding performer, choreographer, and teacher. His innovative choreography incorporated elements from Manipuri martial arts (Thang-ta), ritual theater (Nata-sankirtana and Lai-haraoba), and the devotional Rasleela. He toured extensively across India and internationally with his dance troupe, often accompanied by his wife, fellow Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recipient Charu Sija Mathur. A meticulous scholar, he authored a book on Manipuri dance and numerous articles, contributing significantly to the academic understanding of the art form. His profound impact on Indian classical arts was further solidified by his instrumental role in getting "Sankirtana of Manipur" inscribed in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Singhajit Singh passed away in Delhi at the age of 92, leaving an enduring legacy in the global dissemination and preservation of Manipuri dance. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) (2011), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1984), Padma Shri (1986), Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony (2014), Kalidas Samman (2004), Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Nritya Guru Award (1975), Delhi Sahitya Kala Parishad Award (1975), Homi Bhabha Fellowship (1976), Fellow of Manipur State Kala Academy (1995), Nritya Choodamani, Doctor of Letters (hon.) – North Eastern Hills University.