Eminent classical dancer Dr Sonal Mansingh was conferred on the Srimanta Sankardeva Award for 2023 by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya in a programme held in Guwahati recently. The award was instituted by the Assam Government in 1986. The Award was proposed to be presented to her by President of India Droupadi Murmu.
President Droupadi Murmu, while sharing the message in the event, said, “Mansingh was an inspiration for the people of the country who faced many challenges but with grit and determination, she overcame that and has made immense contributions to the cultural world. The Vaishnav saint and social reformer Srimanta Sankardeva had spread the message of unity and equality among all sections to strengthen society.”
Governor Acharya, while addressing the gathering, said “The award to Mansingh was in recognition of her lifelong dedication to Indian classical dance, cultural advocacy, and social reform. This award is not just a tribute to her as a person, but a recognition of her relentless service in upholding and modernising the spirit of Indian heritage.”
Paying his deepest tributes to Srimanta Sankardeva, the Governor described him as a spiritual luminary and cultural reformer who transcended regional boundaries to become a national symbol of unity, harmony, and inclusiveness.
Dr Mansingh, who dedicated the award to every artiste of the nation, extended gratitude to Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for honouring her with the coveted award.
Recalling her moments with Bard of Brahmaputra Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Dr Mansingh shared, “During his tenure as the chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi, Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika had asked me to ascertain whether the Sattriya dance, originated from the Vaishnavite monasteries known as Sattras in Assam, can be declared a classical dance form. I, along with some others conducted considerable research and we came to the conclusion that it should be the eighth classical dance form of the country.”
Chief Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma mentioned about the award and posted in X, “For years, Dr. Sonal Mansingh ji dedicated herself to taking forward Bharat’s classical dance forms & keeping them alive in contemporary times. It is only fitting that she has been conferred with the Srimanta Sankaradeva Award earlier today in recognition of her contributions.”
Dr Mansingh was presented with an Angavastram, a gold medallion, the traditional Assamese bell-metal ‘Xorai’ (a tray), a citation and a cheque of ₹5 lakh.
