Imphal, Jan 26 (NationPress) The esteemed cultural figure of Manipur, Yumnam Jatra Singh, has been honored posthumously with the Padma Shri, shining a spotlight on the urgent necessity to safeguard the state's vibrant spiritual and cultural legacy.

In a heartfelt response to the accolade, Singh’s son, Yumnam Bishambor, expressed that had his father been alive, he would have felt immense joy and pride in this recognition.

Bishambor, speaking to IANS from their home in Thangmeiband Leirenhanjaba Leikai, shared that although his father is no longer here to celebrate this moment, the family and his students are filled with a profound sense of pride and accomplishment regarding the national honor.

“My father devoted his life to art and culture. As his son, I am incredibly proud and grateful. We can only wish this acknowledgment had arrived while he was still among us,” he stated.

From a young age, Yumnam Jatra Singh displayed a passionate interest in Nata Sankirtana, training under several esteemed gurus. Even though he initially worked in agriculture, his commitment to the arts never wavered.

He later secured diplomas in Eshei and Cholom, and served as a visiting guru at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA). Throughout his life, he mentored numerous students and was recognized as an approved artist by All India Radio, Imphal.

In acknowledgment of his significant contributions to art and culture, Singh received numerous prestigious awards, including the Manipur State Kala Akademi Award and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Born on September 10, 1923, in Tengdongyan Awang Leikai in the Imphal West district along National Highway--2, Yumnam Jatra Singh was the son of the late Y. Tomba Singh and the late Y. (O) Thaballei Devi.

In the late 1970s, he established his home in Thangmeiband Lairenhanjam Leikai, where he continued to mentor and inspire generations of artists. Early on, Singh showed unwavering dedication to Nata Sankirtana, a deeply spiritual and ritualistic performance art of Manipur grounded in Vaishnavite traditions.

This art form blends devotional singing, pung (drumming), kartal (cymbals), and moibung (conch shell), recounting the divine tales of Lord Krishna and Radha as a means to achieve spiritual liberation.

Recognizing its universal cultural significance, UNESCO included “Nata Sankirtana” in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.

To enhance his expertise, Singh pursued formal training and earned a Diploma in Eshei from JNMDA in 1976, followed by a Diploma in Cholom in 1980. He was also an approved artist of All India Radio for Nat Eshei, broadening his audience beyond Manipur.

With a career spanning over seven decades, he showcased Nata Sankirtana throughout the nation, starting in 1949. His lifelong commitment earned him over a dozen prestigious awards, including the Manipur State Kala Akademi Award in 2013 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2023. Yumnam Jatra Singh passed away on October 11, 2025, at the age of 102, leaving an irreplaceable legacy in Manipur’s artistic landscape.