Guru of Manipuri dance, RK Singhajit no more

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 20: Renowned choreographer and Guru of Manipuri dance forms including Raslila and Pung Cholom, Padma Shri Rajkumar Singhajit Singh is no more.
He breathed his last yesterday (November 19) at his residence at Delhi. He was 93.
Rajkumar Singhajit Singh was a recipient of many awards including the Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony conferred by the Government of India, Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kalidas Samman, Manipur State Kala Akademi Fellow, Nritya Choodamani, Padma Shri, Nritya Ratna Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Delhi Sahitya Kala Parishad Award etc.
He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1984 and the Padma Shri in 1986 for his contribution to the Manipuri dance.
The Department of Art and Culture, Manipur has mourned his demise and held a condolence meeting at the conference hall of the Department today.
All officers and staff of the Department led by Commissioner (Art and Culture) M Joy Singh observed 2 minutes of silence as a mark of respect to the departed soul.
Rajkumar Singhajit was a recipient of many awards and he was the key person in getting "Sakirtana of Manipur" inscribed in the UNESCO's representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Harmony, said K Dinamani Singh, Director of Art and Culture in a condolence message.
Rajkumar Singhajit's immense contribution towards promotion and preservation of Manipuri art and culture would be long remembered by many generations to come. His demise is an irreparable loss for the Manipur State, said the Director sharing the grief and pain of the bereaved family members.