Dr. Sonal Mansingh is one of India’s most iconic cultural figures — an internationally acclaimed classical dancer, guru, scholar, cultural philosopher, author, and social leader whose work has transformed the country’s artistic and intellectual landscape. For over six decades, she has been at the forefront of India’s cultural renaissance, using classical dance as a profound medium to interpret philosophy, literature, sculpture, and mythology, and to address contemporary social issues including environmental protection, women’s empowerment, and social justice.

A trailblazing performer and thinker, Dr. Mansingh has performed, lectured, and conducted workshops in over 90 countries, establishing Indian classical arts as a global cultural force. She revived the ancient narrative tradition of Natya-Katha, combining storytelling, music, and abhinaya to bring mythological and social themes to life. Her celebrated choreographies such as Devi Durga, Draupadi, Indradhanush, Manavata, Aatmayan, Sabras, Mera Bharat, and Mukti remain benchmarks of creativity and cultural interpretation.

As the Founder-President of the Centre for Indian Classical Dances (1977), she has trained thousands of students who continue to disseminate India’s artistic heritage worldwide. Her influence extends across institutions: she is a former Chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and currently serves her second term as a Trustee at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). She is also a Visiting Professor at IIT Kharagpur and a member of the Society of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla.

In 2018, Dr. Mansingh was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, becoming the first classical dancer in Indian history to be conferred this honour. She was also named one of the Navaratnas of the Swachh Bharat Mission by the Prime Minister of India in 2014. In 2023, the Government of Assam awarded her the Srimanta Sankardeva Award, acknowledging her exceptional contribution to India’s cultural heritage.

Her contributions have inspired celebrated biographies, documentaries, and literary works — most notably Sonal (directed by Prakash Jha), which won the National Award, and the acclaimed biographies Devapriya and A Life Like No Other. She has authored influential books on Indian classical arts, including Incredible India – Classical Dances of India and A ZigZag Mind.

A polymath with deep knowledge of classical music, multiple Indian languages, and the philosophical foundations of Indian culture, Dr. Mansingh embodies the civilizational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family. Her life and work demonstrate how art can serve as a catalyst for social transformation, cultural continuity, and national identity.

• Awards and Honours (Selected)
• Padma Vibhushan (2003)
• Padma Bhushan (1992)
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987)
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Ratna / Fellow (2018)
• Kalidas Samman (2008)
• Nritya Choodamani (1985)
• Srimanta Sankardeva Award (2023)

Multiple Honorary Doctorates from leading Indian universities including GB Pant University, Sambalpur University, KIIT University, and Rabindra Bharati University