Renowned classical dancer Sonal Mansingh was honoured with the Srimanta Sankardeva Award for 2023 by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya. Instituted by the Assam government in 1986, the award recognises individuals for their outstanding contributions to the fields of culture, art, and social reform, drawing inspiration from the legacy of Srimanta Sankardeva—a revered Vaishnav saint, spiritual leader, and social reformer known for his message of unity, equality, and harmony.

Although President Droupadi Murmu was initially scheduled to confer the award on April 25, her visit was postponed due to a terror attack in Pahalgam and later cancelled for personal reasons. In her message, President Murmu praised Mansingh as an inspiration to the nation. She acknowledged the challenges Mansingh faced and lauded her resilience and substantial contributions to India’s cultural landscape.

Governor Acharya noted that the award was a tribute not only to Mansingh’s individual excellence but also to her lifelong dedication to preserving and modernising Indian classical dance. He described her work as a relentless service to Indian heritage, blending cultural authenticity with contemporary relevance. He also paid homage to Srimanta Sankardeva’s enduring legacy as a cultural reformer and unifying figure beyond Assam.

In her acceptance speech, Mansingh expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Assam and attributed her recognition to the blessings of Ma Kamakhya. She recalled how Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, in his role as Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, had encouraged her to evaluate the classical status of Sattriya—a dance form rooted in Assam’s Vaishnavite monasteries known as Sattras. After extensive research, Mansingh and her team successfully advocated for Sattriya to be recognised as India’s eighth classical dance form.

Mansingh also shared her ongoing commitment to popularising Srimanta Sankardeva’s literary and cultural works. She mentioned that she had previously staged a full production based on his spiritual philosophy and expressed her intention to include more of his ‘Borgeets’ (devotional songs) in the classical repertoires of Bharat Natyam and Odissi.

During the award ceremony, Mansingh was presented with a traditional Assamese ‘Angavastram,’ a gold medallion, the iconic bell-metal ‘Xorai’ tray, a citation, and a cheque of ₹5 lakh.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma commended Mansingh for her decades-long dedication to Indian classical dance and her success in keeping the tradition vibrant in modern times. He remarked that her contribution perfectly aligned with the teachings of Srimanta Sankardeva and his cultural vision, particularly in relation to the Sattriya dance form.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, also from Assam, described Mansingh as a custodian of Indian classical traditions who effectively used her art for social good. He highlighted her efforts to address critical issues such as women empowerment, social justice, and environmental sustainability through her Bharat Natyam and Odissi performances.

Overall, the award celebrated Sonal Mansingh not only as a distinguished artist but also as a cultural advocate and social reformer whose life and work reflect the enduring spirit of Srimanta Sankardeva.