Home > Arts & Culture > Indian Dances > Rajkumar Singhajit Singh
Rajkumar Singhajit Singh
Rajkumar Singhajit Singh is a prominent Manipuri dancer and also a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recipient.

Share this Article:

Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Manipuri DancerRajkumar Singhajit Singh is a leading exponent of Manipuri dance styles. He was born on May 1, 1935, in a family of dancers and musicians in the state of Manipur. Early in life, Rajkumar Singhajit Singh was fortunate to receive his dance education from the finest gurus of Manipuri dance, like `Guru Ojha Iboton Singh` (1942-46) for Pung (drum), `Guru Thambal Angou Singh` (1950-52) - Kartal Chalom; followed by `Guru Amubi Singh` (1948-54) - Jagoi; `Guru Chauba Singh` (1952-53) - Kartal Chalom; and `Guru Ojha Gaura Singh` (1952-53). He also learned the martial arts with sword and spear and soon established himself as a dancer, choreographer and artist of repute all over India.

Rajkumar Singhajit Singh joined Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, in 1954, as Head of the Manipur Dance Section, and later in 1962, established the `Triveni Ballet` of which he was the Director and Principal Dancer. Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Manipuri DancerWith passing years, he and his dance troupe have extensively travelled to several countries in Europe, the former USSR, North and South America, Japan, West Asia and Africa.

Guru Singhajit Singh along with his wife Charu Sija Mathur, who is also a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recipient, established, Manipuri Nrityashram, a Manipuri dance school, in New Delhi. Guru Singhajit Singh choreographed several Manipuri dance forms and is universally reckoned as the guru of Manipuri dance. He was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1984 and the Padma Shri in 1986 for his contribution to the Manipuri dance.

The prestigious awards received by Rajkumar Singhajit Singh are as follows -

•Doctor of Letters (hon) - North Eastern Hills University
•Homi Bhabha Fellowship (1976-1978)
•Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1984)
•Padma Shri (1986)
•Nritya Choodamani from Chennai
•Delhi Sahitya Kala Parishad Award (1975)
•Fellow of Manipur State Kala Academy
•Manipur Sahitya Parishad Nritya Award (1975)


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Dances


Folk Dances of Haryana
The Folk Dances of Haryana are influenced by the culture of its neighbouring states and express the deeper spiritual nature of the dance form.
Kathakali Dancers
Kathakali dancers of India embody grace, passion, and storytelling prowess. Through their vibrant costumes, expressive movements, and intricate makeup, they bring ancient tales to life on stage.
Folk Dances of Sikkim
The cultural tradition of Sikkim is conveyed in its conventional folk dances. The Folk dances are an essential part of Sikkim’s culture and tradition that are really vibrant at times. The three ethnic communities, Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepalis constitute the folk dances and songs in this state.
Santhali Dance
Santhali dance is performed by Santhal tribes on special occasions like festivals and merrymakings.
Folk Dances of Maharashtra
Folk dances of Maharashtra reflect the state's rich cultural heritage and traditions. Prominent forms include Lavani, Tamasha, Lezim, and Gondhal, each associated with specific communities and occasions. These dances combine music, rhythm, and storytelling, often performed during festivals, rituals, and social gatherings, preserving regional identity across generations.
Folk Dances of Mizoram
Folk dances of Mizoram are performed during the time of festivals. These dances are done in a group form.
Dhamal Dance
A folk dance form of Haryana, the Dhamal Dance has its roots in the days of the Mahabharata. This dance form is primarily performed by men in the outdoors and is famous in the Gurugram area of the state.
Koli Dance
A unisex folk dance form of Maharashtra, the Koli dance is a known dance form of the Koli fisher folk.
Costumes of Manipuri Dance
Costumes of Manipuri Dance are quite unique from other Indian classical dance forms.
Hasta Mudras In Kathakali
Hasta Mudras are an integral part of Kathakali dance performance. The Hasta Mudras of this particular dance form are very symbolic in nature.
North Indian Dances
North Indian Dances portray various aspects of Hindu and Muslim culture that have influenced the region for a long time.
Folk Dance of Uttar Pradesh
Folk dance of Uttar Pradesh shows zest of life. It includes dances like Raslila, Ramlila, Khyal, Nautanki,Naqaal,Swang, Dadra and Charkula dance.
Mangalacharan Odissi Dance
Mangalachran is that part of Odissi with which the dance begins and it contributes to the invocatory part of Odissi.
Lathi Dance
Lathi dance is a dance form of West Bengal performed on the occasion of Muharram.
Giddha Dance
Giddha Dance of Punjab, performed only by the women, is a very popular folk art form in India. During Lohri, the Punjabi women reveal their joy through the performance of Giddha.
Folk Dances of Manipur
Manipuri folk dances include the Pung Cholom, Raslila, Maibi dance, Khamba Thaibi, Lal Haraoba and the Nupa dance.
Folk Dance of Nagaland
Folk Dance of Nagaland reflects the naga tradition and culture of the local habitants. In most of the cases, naga dances are monopoly of men with some exception but almost ever dance is associated with some kind of naga festival or tradition.
Bidesia Dance
Bidesia dance is the most popular folk dance of Bihar. The themes of the dance are social issues, contradictory topics and conflict between the traditional and the modern, the urban and rural, and the rich and the poor.
Types of Indian Dances
Types of Indian Dances reflect its cultural richness. Whilst the Classical dances form the very base of Indian dances, it is near impossible to overlook the tribal and folk elements that stand out as separate types of Indian dances.
Rabha Dance
Rabha Dance is performed by the Rabha Tribes of Meghalaya in the Garo Hills.