Renowned classical dancer and cultural icon Dr. Sonal Mansingh has been conferred with the Srimanta Sankardeva Award 2023 by the Government of Assam in recognition of her lifelong dedication to Indian classical dance, cultural preservation, and social advocacy. The award was presented to her by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at a formal ceremony held in Guwahati. The Srimanta Sankardeva Award, named after the 15th-century saint, reformer, and cultural pioneer Srimanta Sankardeva, is one of Assam’s most prestigious honours. It was instituted in 1986 to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of art, culture, and social harmony. In a message sent earlier, President Droupadi Murmu praised Mansingh, calling her an inspiration for the nation. The President said that Mansingh had overcome numerous challenges with courage and determination and had made a deep impact on India’s cultural landscape. Murmu also highlighted the teachings of Srimanta Sankardeva, who promoted unity, equality, and social reform.
President Murmu was initially scheduled to confer the award on April 25. However, her visit was postponed due to the terror attack in Pahalgam. A later attempt to visit Assam on June 12 had to be cancelled due to personal reasons. At the award ceremony, Governor Acharya described Sonal Mansingh as a symbol of Indian cultural values and a strong voice for tradition in modern times. “This award is not only a recognition of her artistic brilliance but also of her efforts to bring Indian classical dance closer to society,” he said. He also paid homage to Srimanta Sankardeva, calling him a spiritual giant whose contributions transcended regional boundaries. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was also present, congratulated Mansingh for her immense contribution to classical dance. “She has kept alive the ancient art forms of Bharat Natyam and Odissi for decades. It is only fitting that she receives the Srimanta Sankardeva Award,” he said. Sarma added that the core values of Srimanta Sankardeva’s teachings continue to shape Assam’s cultural spirit even today.
In her acceptance speech, Sonal Mansingh, who is also a Padma Vibhushan awardee, thanked the Assam government for the honour. She expressed her gratitude for the blessings of Ma Kamakhya and the love of the people of Assam. She recalled a moment when Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, in his capacity as Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi, had asked her to evaluate the Sattriya dance tradition for its classical status. “I, along with other experts, carried out research and concluded that Sattriya deserved recognition as the eighth classical dance form of India,” Mansingh said. Today, Sattriya is performed across the country and abroad, and has gained global recognition. Mansingh also shared that she had once created a full performance based on the spiritual and literary works of Srimanta Sankardeva, and she now plans to incorporate more Borgeets—devotional songs composed by Sankardeva—into her Bharat Natyam and Odissi repertoires. As part of the award, Mansingh was presented with an Angavastram, a gold medallion, a traditional Assamese Xorai, a citation, and a cheque of Rs 5 lakh. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described Mansingh as a “guardian of Indian traditions” and someone who used her art to promote women’s empowerment, social justice, and environmental awareness. “To honour her with this award is to honour the spirit and values of Srimanta Sankardeva in today’s time,” he said.
