Padma Shri honour for Yumnam Jatra Singh highlights Manipur’s spiritual heritage, celebrating his lifelong contribution to Nata Sankirtana and Indian cultural preservation while renewing focus on safeguarding traditional performing arts.
The posthumous conferment of the Padma Shri on legendary cultural maestro Yumnam Jatra Singh has once again brought national attention to Manipur’s deeply rooted spiritual and artistic traditions. The prestigious civilian honour stands not only as recognition of an individual’s lifelong dedication but also as a reaffirmation of the cultural wealth of the northeastern state.
Yumnam Jatra Singh, a towering figure in Manipur’s classical performing arts, devoted more than seven decades of his life to preserving and propagating Nata Sankirtana, a sacred Vaishnavite ritual art form that blends music, devotion, and storytelling. His Padma Shri honour has reignited discussions on the urgent need to safeguard traditional art forms in an era of rapid cultural change.
Expressing gratitude for the national recognition, Singh’s son Yumnam Bishambor said that the award would have meant the world to his father had he been alive to receive it. Speaking to IANS from his residence in Thangmeiband Leirenhanjaba Leikai, Bishambor described the honour as both a moment of pride and emotional reflection for the family and his father’s disciples.
“My father dedicated his entire life to art and culture. As his son, I feel extremely proud and grateful. We only wish this recognition had come while he was still alive,” he said, adding that the award has brought a sense of fulfilment to the many students trained by the maestro over the decades.
Born on September 10, 1923, at Tengdongyan Awang Leikai in Imphal West district along National Highway-2, Yumnam Jatra Singh was the son of late Y. Tomba Singh and late Y. (O) Thaballei Devi. From an early age, he displayed an unwavering inclination towards devotional music and ritualistic performance, particularly Nata Sankirtana.
Despite initially being engaged in agricultural work, Singh remained steadfast in his artistic pursuits. He trained under several eminent gurus and gradually emerged as one of the most respected practitioners of Nata Sankirtana in Manipur. His dedication to the art form was not merely performative but spiritual, viewing music and rhythm as pathways to divine connection.
Nata Sankirtana integrates devotional singing, pung (traditional drum), kartal (cymbals), and moibung (conch shell), narrating the divine stories of Lord Krishna and Radha. Recognising its universal cultural value, UNESCO in 2013 inscribed Nata Sankirtana on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a milestone that Singh lived to witness with pride.
To strengthen his artistic foundation, Singh earned a Diploma in Eshei from the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) in 1976, followed by a Diploma in Cholom in 1980. He later served as a visiting guru at JNMDA and trained generations of performers who continue to carry his legacy forward.
He was also an approved artist of All India Radio, Imphal, for Nat Eshei, which helped introduce Manipur’s devotional music traditions to audiences beyond the state. Beginning as early as 1949, Singh performed across India, spreading awareness of Manipur’s spiritual art heritage.
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In the late 1970s, he made Thangmeiband Lairenhanjam Leikai his permanent residence, from where he continued mentoring students well into his later years. His contributions earned him numerous honours, including the Manipur State Kala Akademi Award and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, both of which acknowledged his unmatched dedication.
Yumnam Jatra Singh passed away on October 11, 2025, at the age of 102, leaving behind an irreplaceable void in Manipur’s cultural landscape. The Padma Shri now stands as a national salute to his life’s work and a powerful reminder of the enduring relevance of India’s spiritual and cultural traditions.
