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{{Short description|Indian classical dancer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| honorary-prefix = [[The Honourable]]
| honorific_prefix = [[The Honourable]]
| name            = Sonal Mansingh
| name            = Sonal Mansingh
| image          = Sonal Mansingh.jpg
| image          = Sonal Mansingh.jpg
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| birth_place    = [[Mumbai|Bombay]],  [[Bombay Presidency]], [[British India]]
| birth_place    = [[Mumbai|Bombay]],  [[Bombay Presidency]], [[British India]]
| origin          = [[India]]
| origin          = [[India]]
| instrument      =
| instruments    =
| genre          = [[Odissi]], [[Bharatanatyam]]
| genre          = [[Odissi]], [[Bharatanatyam]]
| occupation     = *[[Indian classical dance|Indian Classical Dancer]]
| occupations     = *[[Indian classical dance|Indian Classical Dancer]]
* [[Guru]]
* [[Guru]]
*[[Motivational Speaker]]
*[[Motivational Speaker]]
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|constituency = [[List of nominated members of the Rajya Sabha|Nominated]] ([[Arts]])
|constituency = [[List of nominated members of the Rajya Sabha|Nominated]] ([[Arts]])
|term_start = 14 July 2018
|term_start = 14 July 2018
|term_end = 23 July 2024
|predecessor = [[K. Parasaran]]
|predecessor = [[K. Parasaran]]
|successor = [[Harsh Vardhan Shringla]]
|party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
|party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| father = Arvind Pakvasa
| father = Arvind Pakvasa
| mother = Poornima Pakvasa
| mother = Poornima Pakvasa
}}
}}
'''Sonal Mansingh''' (born 30 April 1944) is an [[Indian classical dance]]r and Guru [[Bharatanatyam]] and [[Odissi]] dancing style. She has been [[List of nominated members of Rajya Sabha|nominated]] by the [[President of India]] to become a [[Member of parliament, Rajya Sabha]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sonal-mansingh-ram-shakal-among-four-nominated-to-rs/articleshow/64985955.cms | title=Sonal Mansingh, Ram Shakal among four nominated to RS | newspaper=[[The Times of India]] | date=14 July 2018 | access-date=14 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jul/14/former-mp-ram-shakal-rss-leader-rakesh-sinha-among-four-nominated-to-rajya-sabha-1843254.html | title=Former MP Ram Shakal, RSS leader Rakesh Sinha among four nominated to Rajya Sabha | newspaper=New Indian Express | date=14 July 2018 | access-date=14 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/president-nominates-rss-ideologue-rakesh-sinha-among-three-others-to-rajya-sabha/articleshow/64985950.cms | title=President nominates RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha among three others to Rajya Sabha | newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] | date=14 July 2018 | access-date=14 July 2018}}</ref>
'''Sonal Mansingh''' (born 30 April 1944) is an [[Indian classical dance]]r and Guru in [[Bharatanatyam]] and [[Odissi]] dancing style. She has been [[List of nominated members of Rajya Sabha|nominated]] by the [[President of India]] to become a [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sonal-mansingh-ram-shakal-among-four-nominated-to-rs/articleshow/64985955.cms | title=Sonal Mansingh, Ram Shakal among four nominated to RS | newspaper=[[The Times of India]] | date=14 July 2018 | access-date=14 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jul/14/former-mp-ram-shakal-rss-leader-rakesh-sinha-among-four-nominated-to-rajya-sabha-1843254.html | title=Former MP Ram Shakal, RSS leader Rakesh Sinha among four nominated to Rajya Sabha | newspaper=New Indian Express | date=14 July 2018 | access-date=14 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/president-nominates-rss-ideologue-rakesh-sinha-among-three-others-to-rajya-sabha/articleshow/64985950.cms | title=President nominates RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha among three others to Rajya Sabha | newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] | date=14 July 2018 | access-date=14 July 2018}}</ref> She is the recipient of [[Padma Bhushan]] in 1992 and [[Padma Vibhushan]] in 2003.<ref name='INgov'/>


==Early life and background==
==Early life and background==
Sonal Mansingh was born in [[Mumbai]], second of three children to Arvind and [[Poornima Pakvasa]], a noted social worker from [[Gujarat]] and [[Padma Bhushan]] winner in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-04-27|title=Freedom fighter, ‘Didi of Dangs’, dies at 103 in Surat|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/freedom-fighter-didi-of-dangs-dies-at-103-in-surat-2771986/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> Her grandfather was [[Mangal Das Pakvasa]], a freedom fighter, and one of the first five [[Governors of India]].<ref>[https://www.ualberta.ca/~spicm/sonal_mansingh_biography.htm Sonal Mansingh] [[University of Alberta]] website, www.ualberta.ca.</ref>
Sonal Mansingh was born in [[Mumbai]], second of three children to Arvind and [[Poornima Pakvasa]], a noted social worker from [[Gujarat]] and [[Padma Bhushan]] winner in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-04-27|title=Freedom fighter, 'Didi of Dangs', dies at 103 in Surat|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/freedom-fighter-didi-of-dangs-dies-at-103-in-surat-2771986/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> Her grandfather was [[Mangal Das Pakvasa]], a freedom fighter, and one of the first five [[Governors of India]].<ref>[https://www.ualberta.ca/~spicm/sonal_mansingh_biography.htm Sonal Mansingh] [[University of Alberta]] website, www.ualberta.ca.</ref>


She started learning [[Manipuri dance]] at age four, along with her elder sister, from a teacher in [[Nagpur]], then at age seven she started learning [[Bharatnatyam]] from various gurus belonging to the [[Pandanallur style|Pandanallur school]],<ref>''National centre for the performing Arts''. Quarterly journal. v.12-13, ''page 3''</ref> including Kumar Jayakar in Bombay<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/273843.cms Sonal Mansingh: The dance of life] ''[[The Times of India]]'', 9 November 2003.</ref>
She started learning [[Manipuri dance]] at age four, along with her elder sister, from a teacher in [[Nagpur]], then at age seven she started learning [[Bharatnatyam]] from various gurus belonging to the [[Pandanallur style|Pandanallur school]],<ref>''National centre for the performing Arts''. Quarterly journal. v.12-13, ''page 3''</ref> including Kumar Jayakar in Bombay<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/273843.cms Sonal Mansingh: The dance of life] ''[[The Times of India]]'', 9 November 2003.</ref>
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She has "Praveen" and "Kovid" degrees in [[Sanskrit]] from [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]] and B.A. (Hons) degree in German Literature from [[Elphinstone College]], [[Bombay]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Khokar|first=Ashish Mohan|date=2018-05-17|title=Sonal: The 22-carat dancer|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/dance/sonal-the-22-carat-dancer/article23914118.ece|access-date=2021-02-18|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
She has "Praveen" and "Kovid" degrees in [[Sanskrit]] from [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]] and B.A. (Hons) degree in German Literature from [[Elphinstone College]], [[Bombay]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Khokar|first=Ashish Mohan|date=2018-05-17|title=Sonal: The 22-carat dancer|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/dance/sonal-the-22-carat-dancer/article23914118.ece|access-date=2021-02-18|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


Though, her real training in dance started when at age 18, despite her family's opposition, she went to [[Bangalore]], to learn Bharatanatyam from Prof. U. S. Krishna Rao and Chandrabhaga Devi<ref>[http://nrcw.nic.in/shared/sublinkimages/191.htm Sonal Mansingh] nrcw.nic.in.</ref> at age 18, abhinaya from Mylapore Gowri Ammal, and later started learning [[Odissi]] from Guru [[Kelucharan Mohapatra]] in 1965.
Though, her real training in dance started when at age 18, despite her family's opposition, she went to [[Bangalore]], to learn Bharatanatyam from Prof. U. S. Krishna Rao and Chandrabhaga Devi<ref>[http://nrcw.nic.in/shared/sublinkimages/191.htm Sonal Mansingh] nrcw.nic.in.</ref> at age 18, abhinaya from [[Mylapore Gowri Ammal]], and later started learning [[Odissi]] from Guru [[Kelucharan Mohapatra]] in 1965.


Mansingh was married to former Indian diplomat [[Lalit Mansingh]]. The couple decided to divorce later.<ref name=indpress>{{cite news|title=The art of diplomacy|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/Storyold/129791/|access-date=29 May 2012|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=31 Oct 1999}}</ref> Her father-in-law [[Mayadhar Mansingh]] introduced her to [[Kelucharan Mohapatra]] where she had her training in [[Odissi]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sonal Mansingh|url=http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-heroes/sonal-mansingh.html|publisher=iloveindia.com|access-date=29 May 2012}}</ref>
Mansingh was married to former Indian diplomat [[Lalit Mansingh]]. The couple decided to divorce later.<ref name=indpress>{{cite news|title=The art of diplomacy|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/Storyold/129791/|access-date=29 May 2012|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=31 Oct 1999}}</ref> Her father-in-law [[Mayadhar Mansingh]] introduced her to [[Kelucharan Mohapatra]] where she had her training in [[Odissi]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sonal Mansingh|url=http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-heroes/sonal-mansingh.html|publisher=iloveindia.com|access-date=29 May 2012}}</ref>
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Sonal Mansingh dancing career which started in 1962, after her ''arangetram'' in [[Mumbai]], and in 1977, she founded, ''Centre for Indian Classical Dances'' (CICD) in [[New Delhi]].<ref name=bio>[http://www.mansinghsonal.com/biography.html Biography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728165649/http://www.mansinghsonal.com/biography.html |date=2009-07-28 }} Official website.</ref><ref>[http://mansinghsonal.wordpress.com/ Sonal Mansingh] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718102128/http://mansinghsonal.wordpress.com/ |date=2011-07-18 }}</ref>
Sonal Mansingh dancing career which started in 1962, after her ''arangetram'' in [[Mumbai]], and in 1977, she founded, ''Centre for Indian Classical Dances'' (CICD) in [[New Delhi]].<ref name=bio>[http://www.mansinghsonal.com/biography.html Biography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728165649/http://www.mansinghsonal.com/biography.html |date=2009-07-28 }} Official website.</ref><ref>[http://mansinghsonal.wordpress.com/ Sonal Mansingh] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718102128/http://mansinghsonal.wordpress.com/ |date=2011-07-18 }}</ref>


Over the years, dance has taken her all over the world<ref>[http://www.narthaki.com/info/intervw/intrvw52.html Interview]</ref> and brought her many awards, including the [[Padma Bhushan]] (1992),<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2015 | access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] in 1987
Over the years, dance has taken her all over the world<ref>[http://www.narthaki.com/info/intervw/intrvw52.html Interview]</ref> and brought her many awards, including the [[Padma Bhushan]] (1992),<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2015 | access-date=21 July 2015 | archive-date=15 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] in 1987,<ref>[http://www.sangeetnatak.com/programmes_recognition&honours_dance_odissi.html Awards Odissi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816093636/http://www.sangeetnatak.com/programmes_recognition%26honours_dance_odissi.html |date=16 August 2018 }} [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]] official website.</ref> and the [[Padma Vibhushan]], India's the second highest [[civilian award]], in 2003; making her the second woman dancer in India to receive such an honour after [[Balasaraswati]].<ref>[http://www.webindia123.com/personal/dancer/sonal.htm Sonal]</ref> This was followed by [[Kalidas Samman]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]] government, in 2006 and on 21 April 2007, she was conferred with Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by [[Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology|G.B. Pant University]], [[Uttarakhand]] at [[Pantnagar]] and Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) by [[Sambalpur University]].<ref>"String of awards for Sonal Mansingh", ''[[The Hindu]]'', 27 April 2007.</ref>
,<ref>[http://www.sangeetnatak.com/programmes_recognition&honours_dance_odissi.html Awards Odissi] [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]] official website.</ref> and the [[Padma Vibhushan]], India's the second highest [[civilian award]], in 2003; making her the second woman dancer in India to receive such an honour after [[Balasaraswati]].<ref>[http://www.webindia123.com/personal/dancer/sonal.htm Sonal]</ref> This was followed by [[Kalidas Samman]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]] government, in 2006 and on 21 April 2007, she was conferred with Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by [[Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology|G.B. Pant University]], [[Uttarakhand]] at [[Pantnagar]] and Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) by [[Sambalpur University]].<ref>"String of awards for Sonal Mansingh", ''[[The Hindu]]'', 27 April 2007.</ref>


To mark the completion of her 40 years in dancing in 2002, noted [[Hindi]] film director, [[Prakash Jha]] made a documentary film on her, title ''Sonal'',<ref name=bio/> which also won the [[National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film]] for the year.<ref>[http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/sonal.html ''Sonal'']</ref>
To mark the completion of her 40 years in dancing in 2002, noted [[Hindi]] film director, [[Prakash Jha]] made a documentary film on her, title ''Sonal'',<ref name=bio/> which also won the [[National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film]] for the year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/sonal.html |title=''Sonal'' |access-date=10 September 2008 |archive-date=26 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626001547/http://www.prakashjhaproductions.com/sonal.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>


In 2018, she was honoured with [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship]] also known as Akademi Ratna, for her contribution in the field of performing arts.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Akademi Ratna for Rajya Sabha MP Sonal Mansingh|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/jul/17/akademi-ratna-for-rajya-sabha-mp-sonal-mansingh-2005115.html|access-date=2021-02-18|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>
In 2018, she was honoured with [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship]] also known as Akademi Ratna, for her contribution in the field of performing arts.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Akademi Ratna for Rajya Sabha MP Sonal Mansingh|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/jul/17/akademi-ratna-for-rajya-sabha-mp-sonal-mansingh-2005115.html|access-date=2021-02-18|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>
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* ''Gita Govinda''<ref name=hindu/>
* ''Gita Govinda''<ref name=hindu/>
* ''Sabras''
* ''Sabras''
* ''Chaturang''<ref>[http://www.culturopedia.com/Personalities/indianpersonality-sonalmansingh.html Famous Personalities of India]</ref>
* ''Chaturang''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.culturopedia.com/Personalities/indianpersonality-sonalmansingh.html |title=Famous Personalities of India |access-date=3 May 2008 |archive-date=19 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219035809/https://www.culturopedia.com/Personalities/indianpersonality-sonalmansingh.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ''Panchkanya''
* ''Panchkanya''
* ''Devi Durga''
* ''Devi Durga''
* ''Aatmayan''<ref>[http://www.4to40.com/legends/index.asp?id=953 Legends of India] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416005749/http://www.4to40.com/legends/index.asp?id=953 |date=2008-04-16 }}</ref>
* ''Aatmayan''<ref>[http://www.4to40.com/legends/index.asp?id=953 Legends of India] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416005749/http://www.4to40.com/legends/index.asp?id=953 |date=2008-04-16 }}</ref>
* ''Samanavaya''
* ''Samanavaya''
==Awards==
*Youngest recipient of [[Padma Bhushan]] in 1992 .<ref name='INgov'>{{cite web |title=Padma Bhushan Awards 1992 |url=https://www.padmaawards.gov.in/content/notifications/PadmaAwards/1992.pdf |website=Padmaawards.gov.in}}</ref>
*Youngest recipient of [[Padma Vibhushan]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kalam presents Padma awards |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2003/apr/03padma.htm |website=rediff.com}}</ref>
*In November 2019, Sonal Mansingh felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lifetime achievement award for Sonal Mansingh - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/lifetime-achievement-award-for-sonal-mansingh/articleshow/72145639.cms |website=The Times of India |date=20 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=India |first1=The Hans |title=Lifetime achievement award for Sonal Mansingh |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-09-14/Lifetime-achievement-award-for-Sonal-Mansingh/253849 |website=thehansindia.com |language=en |date=15 September 2016}}</ref>


==Quotes==
==Quotes==
*''"A dancer is not just a dancer. He/She is part of this environment. He/She does not exist in a vacuum. Society and its happenings have an impact on all individuals, especially artists. If an art form does not reflect the existing milieu, it stagnates."''<ref>[http://www.artindia.net/sonal.html Sonal Mansingh] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509080406/http://artindia.net/sonal.html |date=2008-05-09 }} www.artindia.net.</ref>
*''"A dancer is not just a dancer. He/She is part of this environment. He/She does not exist in a vacuum. Society and its happenings have an impact on all individuals, especially artists. If an art form does not reflect the existing milieu, it stagnates."''<ref>[http://www.artindia.net/sonal.html Sonal Mansingh] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509080406/http://artindia.net/sonal.html |date=2008-05-09 }} www.artindia.net.</ref>
* ''"Radha is a grand image too but she's a personification of love without which there is no creation. In our male-dominated mythology the image of Krishna at the feet of Radha, begging for her love, is most unusual. Gita Govind invokes deep spiritual thoughts, packaged in beautifully written verses".''<ref name=hindu>[https://archive.today/20130125130500/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Redir.aspx?ID=ac0f708f-339e-4eda-be3e-42d2bb2826e0 Art and Culture] [[Hindustan Times]], 18 March 2008.</ref>
* ''"Radha is a grand image too but she's a personification of love without which there is no creation. In our male-dominated HISTORY the image of Krishna at the feet of Radha, begging for her love, is most unusual. Gita Govind invokes deep spiritual thoughts, packaged in beautifully written verses".''<ref name=hindu>[https://archive.today/20130125130500/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Redir.aspx?ID=ac0f708f-339e-4eda-be3e-42d2bb2826e0 Art and Culture] [[Hindustan Times]], 18 March 2008.</ref>


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
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==See also==
==See also==
* [[Indian women in dance]]
* [[Indian women in dance]]
* [http://wikibioinside.com/sonal-mansingh-wiki-biography-age-dob/ Untold Story About Sonal Mansingh]


==References==
==References==
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{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}
{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}
{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1990–99}}
{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1990–99}}
{{Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Odissi dancers]]
[[Category:Odissi dancers]]
[[Category:Indian female classical dancers]]
[[Category:Indian female classical dancers]]
[[Category:Performers of Indian classical dance]]
[[Category:Indian classical choreographers]]
[[Category:Indian classical choreographers]]
[[Category:Indian women choreographers]]
[[Category:Indian women choreographers]]
[[Category:Indian choreographers]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Dancers from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Dancers from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dancers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dancers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educators]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educators]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women educators]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women artists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women artists]]
[[Category:Women educators from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Women educators from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Educators from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Educators from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Women artists from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Women artists from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:20th-century women educators]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship]]
[[Category:Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha]]

Latest revision as of 19:27, 12 January 2026


The Honourable
Sonal Mansingh
Sonal Mansingh performing in New Delhi.
Sonal Mansingh performing in New Delhi.
Background information
Birth nameSonal Pakvasa
Born (1944-04-30) 30 April 1944 (age 82)
Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India
OriginIndia
GenresOdissi, Bharatanatyam
Occupations
Years active1961–present
Websitewww.sonalmansingh.in
Sonal Mansingh
Member Of Parliament
Rajya Sabha
In office
14 July 2018 – 23 July 2024
Preceded byK. Parasaran
Succeeded byHarsh Vardhan Shringla
ConstituencyNominated (Arts)
Personal details
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Parents
  • Arvind Pakvasa (father)
  • Poornima Pakvasa (mother)

Sonal Mansingh (born 30 April 1944) is an Indian classical dancer and Guru in Bharatanatyam and Odissi dancing style. She has been nominated by the President of India to become a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha.[1][2][3] She is the recipient of Padma Bhushan in 1992 and Padma Vibhushan in 2003.[4]

Early life and background[edit | edit source]

Sonal Mansingh was born in Mumbai, second of three children to Arvind and Poornima Pakvasa, a noted social worker from Gujarat and Padma Bhushan winner in 2004.[5] Her grandfather was Mangal Das Pakvasa, a freedom fighter, and one of the first five Governors of India.[6]

She started learning Manipuri dance at age four, along with her elder sister, from a teacher in Nagpur, then at age seven she started learning Bharatnatyam from various gurus belonging to the Pandanallur school,[7] including Kumar Jayakar in Bombay[8]

She has "Praveen" and "Kovid" degrees in Sanskrit from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and B.A. (Hons) degree in German Literature from Elphinstone College, Bombay.[9]

Though, her real training in dance started when at age 18, despite her family's opposition, she went to Bangalore, to learn Bharatanatyam from Prof. U. S. Krishna Rao and Chandrabhaga Devi[10] at age 18, abhinaya from Mylapore Gowri Ammal, and later started learning Odissi from Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra in 1965.

Mansingh was married to former Indian diplomat Lalit Mansingh. The couple decided to divorce later.[11] Her father-in-law Mayadhar Mansingh introduced her to Kelucharan Mohapatra where she had her training in Odissi.[12]

Career[edit | edit source]

Sonal Mansingh dancing career which started in 1962, after her arangetram in Mumbai, and in 1977, she founded, Centre for Indian Classical Dances (CICD) in New Delhi.[13][14]

Over the years, dance has taken her all over the world[15] and brought her many awards, including the Padma Bhushan (1992),[16] Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987,[17] and the Padma Vibhushan, India's the second highest civilian award, in 2003; making her the second woman dancer in India to receive such an honour after Balasaraswati.[18] This was followed by Kalidas Samman of Madhya Pradesh government, in 2006 and on 21 April 2007, she was conferred with Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by G.B. Pant University, Uttarakhand at Pantnagar and Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) by Sambalpur University.[19]

To mark the completion of her 40 years in dancing in 2002, noted Hindi film director, Prakash Jha made a documentary film on her, title Sonal,[13] which also won the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film for the year.[20]

In 2018, she was honoured with Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship also known as Akademi Ratna, for her contribution in the field of performing arts.[21]

Choreographies[edit | edit source]

  • Indradhanush
  • Manavatta
  • Mera Bharat
  • Draupadi
  • Gita Govinda[22]
  • Sabras
  • Chaturang[23]
  • Panchkanya
  • Devi Durga
  • Aatmayan[24]
  • Samanavaya

Awards[edit | edit source]

Quotes[edit | edit source]

  • "A dancer is not just a dancer. He/She is part of this environment. He/She does not exist in a vacuum. Society and its happenings have an impact on all individuals, especially artists. If an art form does not reflect the existing milieu, it stagnates."[28]
  • "Radha is a grand image too but she's a personification of love without which there is no creation. In our male-dominated HISTORY the image of Krishna at the feet of Radha, begging for her love, is most unusual. Gita Govind invokes deep spiritual thoughts, packaged in beautifully written verses".[22]

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

  • The Penguin Book of Indian Dance by Sonal Mansingh, Penguin Books Australia. ISBN 0-14-013921-4.
  • Classical Dances by Sonal Mansingh, Avinash Pasricha, Varsha Das. 2007, Wisdom Publications. ISBN 81-8328-067-6.
  • Draupadi, by Sonal Mansingh; Museum Society of Bombay, 1994.
  • Devpriya conversation with Sonal Mansingh by Yatindra Mishra; Vaani publication.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

  • Sonal Mansingh Contribution to Odissi Dance by Jiwan Pani. 1992, Centre for Indian Classical Dances. ISBN 81-7304-002-8.
  • Bharata Natyam: Indian Classical Dance Art, by Sunil Kothari. MARG Publications, 1979. Page 169-170.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Sonal Mansingh, Ram Shakal among four nominated to RS". The Times of India. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  2. ↑ "Former MP Ram Shakal, RSS leader Rakesh Sinha among four nominated to Rajya Sabha". New Indian Express. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "President nominates RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha among three others to Rajya Sabha". The Economic Times. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Padma Bhushan Awards 1992" (PDF). Padmaawards.gov.in.
  5. ↑ "Freedom fighter, 'Didi of Dangs', dies at 103 in Surat". The Indian Express. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  6. ↑ Sonal Mansingh University of Alberta website, www.ualberta.ca.
  7. ↑ National centre for the performing Arts. Quarterly journal. v.12-13, page 3
  8. ↑ Sonal Mansingh: The dance of life The Times of India, 9 November 2003.
  9. ↑ Khokar, Ashish Mohan (17 May 2018). "Sonal: The 22-carat dancer". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  10. ↑ Sonal Mansingh nrcw.nic.in.
  11. ↑ "The art of diplomacy". The Indian Express. 31 October 1999. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  12. ↑ "Sonal Mansingh". iloveindia.com. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Biography Archived 2009-07-28 at the Wayback Machine Official website.
  14. ↑ Sonal Mansingh Archived 2011-07-18 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ Interview
  16. ↑ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  17. ↑ Awards Odissi Archived 16 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine Sangeet Natak Akademi official website.
  18. ↑ Sonal
  19. ↑ "String of awards for Sonal Mansingh", The Hindu, 27 April 2007.
  20. ↑ "Sonal". Archived from the original on 26 June 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
  21. ↑ "Akademi Ratna for Rajya Sabha MP Sonal Mansingh". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Art and Culture Hindustan Times, 18 March 2008.
  23. ↑ "Famous Personalities of India". Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
  24. ↑ Legends of India Archived 2008-04-16 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ↑ "Kalam presents Padma awards". rediff.com.
  26. ↑ "Lifetime achievement award for Sonal Mansingh - Times of India". The Times of India. 20 November 2019.
  27. ↑ India, The Hans (15 September 2016). "Lifetime achievement award for Sonal Mansingh". thehansindia.com.
  28. ↑ Sonal Mansingh Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine www.artindia.net.

External links[edit | edit source]

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