Legendary Manipuri Nata Sankirtana exponent, the late Yumnam Jatra Singh, will be posthumously conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. The honor will be presented during the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 25, 2026. The official announcement was made by the Ministry of Home Affairs, highlighting his invaluable role in cultural preservation.
This high national civilian honor recognizes the late cultural icon’s immense and lifelong contribution toward preserving, safeguarding, and promoting Manipuri Nata Sankirtana. This traditional Vaishnavite dance and music form holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for the region. Widely revered as a distinguished maestro, Yumnam Jatra Singh also shared his profound expertise as a visiting guru at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA), inspiring generations of artists. His dedicated efforts to protect Manipur’s rich heritage previously earned him several notable state and national accolades.
For the year 2026, the Government of India has announced a total of 131 Padma Awards. This year’s honors comprise five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. The selection reflects a diverse group of achievers, including 19 women and 16 posthumous awardees. The upcoming ceremony underscores the nation’s gratitude to individuals like Yumnam Jatra Singh, whose artistic legacies continue to enrich India’s diverse cultural landscape.
