Imphal : Renowned Manipuri Nata Sankirtana exponent Yumnam Jatra Singh will be conferred the Padma Shri posthumously for his outstanding contribution to Manipuri classical and devotional traditions.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday announced that President Droupadi Murmu will present the Padma Awards for 2026 during the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I scheduled to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 25.

Yumnam Jatra Singh is among the 131 Padma awardees selected this year. The Government of India has announced five Padma Vibhushan awards, 13 Padma Bhushan awards and 113 Padma Shri honours for 2026. Of the total recipients, 19 are women while 16 awards will be presented posthumously.

Born on September 12, 1923, at Tendongyan Awang Leikai in Imphal West district, Jatra Singh began learning music at an early age and devoted more than seven decades to preserving and promoting the traditions of Manipuri Sankirtana.

A distinguished exponent of Nata Sankirtana and visiting guru at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, he trained generations of performers and played a major role in carrying forward Manipur’s spiritual and cultural heritage both nationally and internationally.

He earned diplomas in Nat Eshei in 1976 and Nat Cholom in 1980 from the academy, demonstrating mastery over devotional singing and rhythmic dance traditions.

Beginning his artistic journey in 1949, Jatra Singh performed extensively across Manipur and other parts of India, participating in programmes organised by the Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Manipur State Kala Academy and Guru Gulapi Nat Sankirtan Academy. He also staged performances in Tripura, West Bengal and Delhi.

Internationally, he represented Manipuri culture during the Barak Festival held in Bangladesh in 1949.

His contributions were considered instrumental in securing UNESCO recognition for Manipuri Sankirtana as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013. He also played a key role in the establishment of the Department of Sankirtan at the Manipur University of Culture.

Throughout his lifetime, Jatra Singh received several prestigious honours, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Award in 2023 and the Manipur State Kala Akademi Award in 2013. He was also conferred titles such as “Nata Bhushan” and “Nata Ratna” by the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad.

Among his other recognitions were the Lifetime Achievement Award in Nata Eshei from Cultural Forum Manipur in 2016 and the Harinam Maha Mantra Award in 2019.

He also served as the ‘Eshei Hanba’ (chief performer) of the Shree Govindajee Naha Pala and was an approved artist of All India Radio.

Yumnam Jatra Singh passed away on October 11, 2025, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Manipuri classical music and devotional performance traditions.