The Legacy

Padma Vibhushan, Dr. Sonal Mansingh, is celebrated the cultural personality of India. Currently, she is serving a second term as Trustee of Indira Gandhi Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and is a visiting professor at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. She has served as Chairperson of Central Sangeet Natak Akademi and on several important official and cultural bodies. Also, she is Member of Parliament, Upper House (Rajya Sabha) nominated by H.E. President of India since 14th July 2018. She is proficient in several languages and their literature.

She is unique among performing artists of India because of her training and deep knowledge of several Indian dance styles as well as the three (3) prevalent classical music traditions of India viz Hindustani, Oriya and Carnatic. Her unique contribution has been her lifelong work using & utilizing her knowledge and talents to address socio-cultural issues through the chosen medium of Naatya-Katha (solo-dance theatre). As the Founder-President of Centre for Indian Classical Dances (estd. 1977, Delhi) she has trained several talented artists who are carrying the message of Indian culture all over the world. She is the recipient of highest civilian awards the Padma Vibhushan (2003) and the Padma Bhushan (1992) from President of India among many coveted national & international awards & honors. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi nominated her as a NAVRATNA for Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission).

Miss Vibhoo Bajpai, fortunately, happens to be Dr. Sonal Mansingh’s senior disciple and has undergone rigorous training in Pandanallur Style of Bharatnatyam under her since 2011. Vibhoo is a regular member of CICD repertory group, Shri Kamakhya Kalapeeth and has performed extensively with her Guruji throughout the country including SNA’s North-east tour, Gujrat Tour, Sansad Bhavan (New Dekhi) , Shri Kamakhya Temple, IIT Guwahati, Kalakshetra (Chennai), NCPA (Mumbai), Shri Sankatmochan Mandir (Varanasi), President House (New Delhi) to name a few. Miss Bajpai is making serious attempts to cherish and conserve all the learning and understanding of Indian arts and culture that she has acquired from her Guruji.