Rajkumar Singhajit Singh

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name = Rajkumar Singhajit Singh


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birth_date = birth date and age|1931|5|1
birth_place = Manipur, flagicon|India
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occupation = Classical Indian dancer (Manipuri dance), choreographer, scholar
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website = http://www.manipuri-dance.com/index.htm

Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, (born May 1, 1935) is a leading exponent, choreographer and a guru of Indian classical dance form of Manipuri, including the Pung cholom and Raslila [ [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000926/ldh2.htm#3 Rich traditions from the East] The Tribune, September 26, 2000] . He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1984 [ [http://www.sangeetnatak.com/programmes_recognition&honours_dance_cdc.html Official list of awardees - Creative Dance/Choreography] the Sangeet Natak Akademi Official website.] and the Padma Shri in 1986 for his contribution to the Manipuri dance.

Guru Singhajit Singh and his wife Charu Sija Mathur, who is also a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recipient, have established, "Manipuri Nrityashram", a Manipuri dance school, in New Delhi.

Biography

Rajkumar Singhajit Singh was born in a family pf dancers and musicians in Manipur. Early in life, he was fortunate to receive his dance education from the finest gurus of Manipuri dance, starting with ‘Guru Ojha Iboton Singh’ (1942-46) for Pung (drum), followed by ‘Guru Amubi Singh’ (1948-54) – Jagoi; ‘Guru Thambal Angou Singh’ (1950-52) - Kartal Chalom; ‘Guru Chauba Singh’ (1952-53) - Kartal Chalom; and with ‘Guru Ojha Gaura Singh’ (1952-53) from whom he learned the martial arts with Sword & Spear , and soon established himself as a dancer, choreographer and artist of repute [ [http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19990729/ile29147.html Wedded to Dance] Indian Express, July 29, 1999.]

He joined Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, in 1954, as Head of the Manipur Dance Section, and later in 1962, founded the ‘Triveni Ballet’ of which he was Director and Principal Dancer .

Over the year, 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 . Their recent choreography, "Ashta Nayika", has received wide recognition, from both viewers and critics alike [ [http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2008/08/01/stories/2008080150310200.htm From zero to ten in a step] The Hindu, Aug 1, 2008."...Choreographer Singhajit Singh’s "Ashta Nayika", in a freshly conceived interlacing of the Nata Sankirtan and rasa, was a delight." - Leela Venkatraman. ] [ [http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/07/25/stories/2008072550380300.htm Celestial numbers] The Hindu, July 25, 2008.]

Awards

* Homi Bhabha Fellowship (1976-1978) [ [http://web1.mtnl.net.in/~hbfc/fellows.html Homi Bhabha Fellowship, List of Fellows] # 34. 1976-1978.] [http://mumbai.mtnl.net.in/~hbfc/cv/DR_R_K_SINGHAJIT_SINGH.html DR. R.K. Singhajit Singh Profile] Homi Bhabha Fellowship Council, Mumbai, Fellowship:1976-1978.]
* Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1984)
* Padma Shri (1986)
* Delhi Sahitya Kala Parishad Award (1975)
* Fellow of Manipur State Kala Academy
* Manipur Sahitya Parishad Nritya Award (1975)
* Nritya Choodamani from Chennai
* Doctor of Letters (hon) – North Eastern Hills University.

Bibliography

*"Manipuri" by R K Singhajit Singh, "Dances of India" series, 2004, Wisdom Tree, ISBN 81-86685-15-4. [http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/SearchResults.asp?ProdStock=12426]
* [http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=kshow&kid=33& The Martial Arts of Asia: Eliminating Violence]

References

External links

* [http://www.manipuri-dance.com/index.htm Guru R.K. Singhajit Singh, Charu Sija Mathur website]
* [http://www.anandfoundation.com/zz_manipuri.asp An interview with R K Singhajit Singh And Charu Sija Mathur]
* [http://video.webindia123.com/interviews/dancers/classical/gurusinghajitsingh/index.htm R K Singhajit Singh on Manipuri Dance]