Maisnam Kaminikumar Singh

🪔 About

Maisnam Kaminikumar Singh, a distinguished exponent of Manipuri dance, was born on May 1, 1947, in Sagolband Kangabam Leikai, Imphal, to Meisnam Tombisana Singh and Meisnam Ongbi Mangi Devi. He received extensive training in Manipuri dance under several esteemed gurus, including Amubi Singh, H. Atomba Singh, Amuyaima Singh, Th. Tarunkumar Singh, Lokeshwar Singh, and Paka Singh. Furthering his education, he pursued and completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Ras from the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) in Imphal in 1974. His artistic versatility also extends to Pung playing, which he learned under gurus Panjabisana Singh, Leibakmacha Singh, and Laxman Singh, and Hindustani music under M. Madhumangol Singh. Singh dedicated a significant portion of his career to the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, joining as a teacher in 1976 and retiring as Pradhan Guru in 2007. As a performer, he toured extensively with the JNMDA troupe, both within India and internationally, including participating in the Festival of India in the erstwhile U.S.S.R. His performances include the Tarun Kalakar Nritya Samaroh in New Delhi (1972), demonstrated lectures for JNMDA's extension program (2000), and appearances at Kalakshetra, Chennai (2003), and the Festival of Manipur in Kolkata (2003). He also organized 'Maharaas' events in Bangsi Bat Vrindavan and Imphal in 2006. Maisnam Kaminikumar Singh has contributed to the academic discourse of Manipuri dance by authoring two books, "Ras Sheirengi Punglon" and "Manipuri Jagoi Maharaski Punglon". Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2016), Manipur State Kala Akademi Award (2003), Nritya Bhusan (2010), Thouranisabi Gold Medal (2003).