Guwahati, June 12: In a grand tribute to India’s cultural legacy and spiritual heritage, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh, an icon of Bharata Natyam and Odissi, was conferred the Srimanta Sankardeva Award 2023 by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya. The ceremony, held at the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, was attended by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and other distinguished guests.
The award celebrates Mansingh’s lifelong dedication to Indian classical dance, cultural advocacy, and social reform. A revered figure on the global stage, she has used dance not only as an art form but as a tool for addressing social injustice, women’s empowerment, and ecological concerns.
“This award is not just a tribute to her persona, but a recognition of her relentless service in upholding and modernizing the spirit of Indian heritage,” Governor Acharya said.
The event served as a broader celebration of Srimanta Sankardeva, the 15th-century saint and social reformer who transformed Assamese culture through the Bhakti movement, Ek Saran Naam Dharma, and innovations in music, drama, and scripture translation.
Governor Acharya hailed him as a national symbol of unity and inclusiveness, not just a regional figure. “He was a spiritual luminary whose teachings transcend time and geography,” the Governor noted.
The Governor praised the state’s efforts to preserve this legacy through projects like: the Batadrava Cultural Complex, the development of Patbausi Satra, the creation of Srimanta Sankardeva Chairs in institutions such as JNU, Visva Bharati, Punjab University, and soon Tezpur University.
He urged the youth to take inspiration from Sankardeva’s teachings and become ambassadors of India’s cultural values.
In his address, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma echoed the sentiment, calling Dr. Mansingh a “legendary figure whose commitment to classical dance has enriched India’s cultural fabric.” He lauded her strength in overcoming barriers and founding the Centre for Indian Classical Dances, which trains young talent in traditional forms.
Sarma paid homage to Sankardeva’s spiritual genius and detailed the state’s commitment to commemorating him Rs. 200 crore Sankardeva Cultural Complex at Batadrava, to be inaugurated in December. a Religious Tourist Circuit across 21 sites visited by Sankardeva, including Bordowa, Rowta, Patbausi, Cooch Behar, and more, a multi-lingual book on Sankardeva’s life, to be published in Assamese, Hindi, English, Bodo, Tiwa, Deuri, Dimasa, and others and an additional Rs. 100 crore for further development of the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra
“The award to Dr. Mansingh will inspire future generations to understand and value Srimanta Sankardeva’s legacy of devotion, compassion, and inclusive spirituality,” Sarma said.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal praised Mansingh as a guardian of Indian classical traditions who used her art to address contemporary issues like gender equality and environmental conservation.
Drawing from Sankardeva’s philosophy, Sonowal highlighted his vision of unity and ecological consciousness, referencing the saint’s teaching that “a tree is like ten sons.”
“Gurujona laid the ethical and cultural foundation for a harmonious Assamese society—uplifting the marginalized and bridging all divides,” Sonowal stated.
The ceremony was also attended by Minister of Culture Bimal Bora, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, and celebrated dancer Padma Bhushan Jatin Goswami, among others, marking it as a momentous occasion in Assam’s cultural calendar.
