Sonal Mansingh is an Indian classical dancer, who specializes in Bharatanatyam and Odissi dance forms. A Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan recipient, she joined the Rajya Sabha nominated in 2018. She established the Indian Classical Dance Center (Shri Kamakhya Kalapeeth) in Delhi and is its President. Sonal Mansingh has been nominated as NAVRATNA for Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is a choreographer, a Guru (Instructor), and a motivational speaker.
Wiki/Biography
Sonal Mansingh was born on Sunday, 30 April 1944 (age 80 years; in 2024) in Bombay Presidency, British India (now, Mumbai, India). His zodiac sign is Taurus. He grew up watching famous artists like Bismillah Khan, Siddheshwari Devi, MS Subbulakshmi and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan perform at his house as guests of the country.
Sonal Mansingh grew up watching Ustad Bismillah Khan, who was a State guest at her grandfather’s residence
Sonal had learned Manipuri dance when she was 4 years old and started studying Bharatanatyam when she was 7 years old under many Gurus from Pandanallur school. He was 17 years old when he gave his first performance at the Darbar Hall of Raj Bhavan, Bombay (now Mumbai). From 18 years onwards, Sonal Mansingh learned professional Bharatanatyam from Prof. US Krishna Rao and Chandrabhaga Devi in Bangalore.
Krishna Rao and Chandrabhaga Devi AS, Bharatanatyam Guru Sonal Mansingh
In 1965, he began his professional Odissi training under Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra in Cuttack, whom he met through his father-in-law, Dr. Mayadhar Mansingh.
Sonal Mansingh with Gymnastics Teacher Mohapatra
He also pursued a BA (Hons) in German Lit. and ‘Kovid’ and ‘Praveen’ Sanskrit degrees at Elphinstone College and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay (now Mumbai), respectively.
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 3″
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Family
Sonal Mansingh hails from a Gujarati family.
Parents & Siblings
Sonal Mansingh’s father, Arvind Pakvasa, and mother, Poornima (Sheth) Pakvasa, were activists of the Indian freedom movement.
Sonal Mansingh with her mother and father in 1949
His mother was a renowned social worker, who was honored with the Padma Bhushan and known as the ‘Didi of the Dangs.’ Poornima Pakvasa runs a vocational institute for tribal girls in Saputara, Gujarat.
Sonal Mansingh with her mother, Poornima Pakvasa
Sonal has two siblings. Her older sister, Arti Mehta, died of cancer in 2020.
Sonal Mansingh with her sister, Arti Mehta
His younger brother, Anuj Pakvasa, is a numismatist.
Anuj Pakvasa, brother of Sonal Mansingh
Husband & Son
Sonal Mansingh had two failed marriages. She married former Indian diplomat Lalit Mansingh on 3 August 1963, whom she divorced in 1973 and Georg Lech, who later separated.
Lalit Mansingh, former Indian Ambassador to the United States and Sonal Mansingh’s husband
Other relatives
His grandfather, Mangal Das Pakvasa, was a professional lawyer and freedom fighter. He was one of the first 5 governors of independent India.
Sonal Mansingh with her grandfather, Mangal Das Pakvasa
Address
Present Address – 11, Janpath, New Delhi
Permanent Address – Indian Classical Dance Centre, Gulmohar Institutional Area, New Delhi- 110015
Career
Dance & Choreography
Sonal Mansingh is famous for Bharatanatyam and Odissi dance forms. She is also a trained Manipuri and Kuchipudi dancer. In 1962, he gave his first arangetram (stage performance) in Mumbai. His performances are mainly based on Indian mythology. In 1977, Sonal Mansingh opened an institute called the Center for Indian Classical Dance (CICD) in Delhi to promote and produce Indian classical dance productions.
Sonal Mansingh in Bharatanatyam dance mudra
Sonal Mansingh’s famous dance choreography is:
- Mukti (2002) – On the theme of Liberation, which Sonal feels can be achieved here and now and not after death.
- Sundari (2001) – A Bharatanatyam piece to depict feminine beauty.
- Manavata (1998) – Sonal Mansingh along with lifers of Tihar Jail, dance together to mark International Human Rights Day.
- Mera Bharat (1997) – Choreography on Ecology and Environment to celebrate India’s Golden Jubilee of Independence.
- Panch Kanya, Devi Durga, and Aatmayan (1995) – Performances based on different stories of Indian texts to highlight themes of social inequality and realizing the power of inner spirit.
- Dharma – Sringaara (love: physical and spiritual) (1994) – About Draupadi’s fate when she is shared with 5 brothers is decided.
- Shiva -Tandava (1988) – Chhau and Odissi performances.
- Ashta-Nayika (1984) – Eight emotional phases of female love
member of parliament
Sonal Mansingh is a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha. Former Indian President Ram Nath Kovind nominated her in 2018. She assumed office on 14 July 2018 and joined the Bharatiya Janta Party. As a Member of Parliament, Sonal Mansingh has served as a member of the Transport, Tourism and Culture Committee, the National Cadet Corps Center Advisory Committee, the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Women’s Empowerment Committee. He has also spoken for the preservation of Indian Classical dance forms in Parliament sessions.
In Parliament, I emphasized on preserving India’s intangible heritage, such as the various dance forms from the Natya Shastra. Ignoring solo dances, such as the Ekal dance, risks losing important cultural elements.#Parliament #Rajya Sabha @VPIndia @ChefVaidya pic.twitter.com/aVmR0ZDDIw
— Sonal Mansingh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@sonal_mansingh) December 12, 2023
Award
- Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1987)
- Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award (1991)
- Padma Bhushan (1992)
Sonal Mansingh, received the Padma Bhushan honor in 1992
- Indira Priyadarshini Award (1994)
- Friendship Medal from the Cuban National Council (1995)
- Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)
Sonal Mansingh, received the Lifetime Achievement Award
Sonal has been awarded with various State and conference awards.
Honor
- Awarded Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by GB Pant University, Uttarakhand.
- Awarded Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by Sambalpur University.
Achievement
- He was the Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi from 2003 to 2005.
- He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts (IGNCA) from 2000-2004 and 2016-2018.
- He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts.
Salary
Sonal Mansingh’s salary as a Rajya Sabha MP is around Rs. 2.10 lacs (including office expenses) plus other allowances.
Assets & Real Estate
Sonal Mansingh does not own any property. In an interview, he once said,
five years I was homeless in Delhi. But until today I am homeless. I do not own any property. I have always lived in a rented ghar because I put my money into setting up an institution, the Indian Classical Dance Centre, which celebrates 40 years on April 30. I have never wanted a house or land because the body is the only home I will ever have.
Favourite
- Food: Khandvi (Gujarati cuisine)
- India Destination: Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati, Assam.
Facts/Trivia
- Sonal Mansingh is the youngest recipient of the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan Awards. She is also the second female dancer, after Balasaraswati, to receive the Padma Vibhushan.
Sonal Mansingh received Padma Vibhushan by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
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Sonal Mansingh’s family did not want her to pursue a dancing career, so she ran away from home using her college scholarship money to go to Bangalore, where her teacher Krishna Rao and his family looked after her. After this, he never returned to live with his family.
- In 1975, when she was at the height of her dancing career, she was in a major car accident and fractured her 12th vertebra. He was told that he would not be able to dance. However, Sonal Mansingh soon returned to dancing.
- His hobbies are reading and traveling. He has traveled to over 90 countries. She has written a book titled, Classical Dance.
Cover of Sonal Mansingh’s book, Classical Dances
- Sonal Mansingh received Rs. 250 as a reward for his first stage performance, which was objected to by Morarji Desai, his grandfather’s friend.
- Sonal Mansingh’s parents did not approve of her relationship with Lalit Mansingh.
- Sonal Mansingh’s biography written by Sujata Prasad is called, ‘Sonal Mansingh: A Life Like No Other.’ He calls Sonal as ‘apa’ or his sister.
- He was also trained in Hindustani and Carnatic classical vocal music by Prof.KG Ginge and Sri Venkataraman, respectively.
- On 1 May 2002, a documentary film titled ‘Sonal,’ directed by Prakash Jha, was screened at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, to honor his 40th career. It won the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film of the Year.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
