Dr Sohini honored with Tagore National Scholarship for promoting Manipuri dance

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 11 : Dr Sohini Ray, a renowned figure from West Bengal, has been bestowed with the prestigious Tagore National Scholarship for her invaluable contribution to integrating Manipuri dance into the syllabi of esteemed US institutions, including the University of California and New York University.
This accolade, one of the highest honors awarded by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in the field of Cultural Research, marks Dr Sohini as the third recipient in the Manipuri Arts category, the first woman to achieve this recognition, and the second Manipuri dancer overall.
During a press interaction at the residence of the late Guru Bipin in Moirangkhom Sougaijam leirak during her recent visit to Manipur, Dr Sohini expressed her dedication not only to Manipuri dance but also to researching the cultural history of the Meitei Mayek script.
She detailed her journey, which began with learning dance at age five in Kolkata and training in Manipuri dance under Guru Bipin from age seven.
Her commitment led her to become Guru Bipin’s research assistant at age 14, participating in numerous productions and contributing significantly to the art form’s propagation.
In the USA, Dr Sohini earned her PhD in Anthropology, focusing on the cultural history of Meitei Mayek, guided by the advice of the late Oja Akaba.
She established “Manipuri Dance Visions” in Los Angeles to teach the dance form.
Acknowledging that while Bharat Natyam and Kathakali are known in the US, Manipuri dance was not, she is proud that her efforts at UC and NYU have brought recognition to the art form.
Honored with the Lester Horton Award (equivalent to a Grammy) in 2008 and the Devdasi National Award, Odisha, Dr Sohini affirmed her continued dedication to elevating Manipuri culture globally.