Sonal Mansingh

Sonal Mansingh is an eminent Indian classical dancer and a leading exponent of Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, and Chhau. Besides being a dancer, Sonal Mansingh is a well-known choreographer, teacher, orator and a social activist. For her contributions in the field of "Classical dancing" she has received accolades from many national and international organizations. She was the youngest recipient of Padma Bhushan, in 1992. In 2003, Sonal became the first Indian woman dancer to be awarded with Padma Vibhushan.

Sonal Mansingh believes that society and its happenings have an impact on all arts and subsequently on the artists. To her, dance is the medium through which she can present the views of the unheard. According to her, dancers must have love for literature, poetry, languages, sculpture and painting as dance is a rare confluence of all these arts.