Sougaijam Thanil Singh is an Indian classical dancer, known for his proficiency in the classical dance forms of Manipuri and Nata Sankirtana.[1] Born to S. Ksher Singh, a Manipuri dancer, in the Northeast Indian state of Manipur, he received his early training from his father as well as Guru Tombi Sharma, Guru Bhaigchandra Singh and Guru Koireng Singh.[2] Later, he studied Manipuri dance and Nata Sankirtana, under Maisnam Amubi Singh, renowned dancer and Padma Shri awardee, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal, securing a diploma and a post graduate diploma, respectively, in the disciplines.[1]
Joining his alma mater as a member of faculty, he rose in ranks to become the Pradhan Guru[2] and superannuated as the director of the institution.[3] He has performed on many stages in India and abroad. He is a Fellow of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India and a recipient of the 1980 Manipuri State Kala Academy Award.[2] He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1994,[4] followed by Baidya Ratna Award of the Manipur Sahitya Parishad.[2] The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of the Padma Shri, in 2005, for his contributions to Indian classical dance.[5]
