PHANJOUBAM IBOTON SINGH
Akademi Award: Manipuri Dance

Born in 1951 in Durgabol village in Assam, Shri Phanjoubam Iboton Singh was initiated in the art of Pung-playing in Nata Sankirtan by Shri Meitram Lalbabu Singh and Shri Meitram Mangol Singh. Later, he trained under Shri Soram Budha Singh and Sanasam Yaima Singh. He subsequently trained and specialized in Manipuri Ras under Gurus K. Lokeshwar Singh, G. Ibopishak Sharma, R.K. Sanayaima Singh and L. Thambalngoubi Devi. He obtained a Postg
raduate Diploma both in Ras and Pung at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal.

Shri Iboton Singh has excelled as a performer and teacher of Manipuri dance and as a Pung-player. He has been teaching since 1984 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, and is presently serving as its Pradhan Guru. He has performed extensively in India and other countries including China, South Korea, Greece, Spain, Italy, France and Germany. He has written two books in Manipuri titled Manipuri Ras Amashung Atei Krishna Lilasing and Maharas Amashung Kunjaras Punglon.

He has received several honours including the Manipur State Kala Akademi Award, the Gold Medal of the Manipur Sahitya Parishad, and the title of Nitya Bhushan conferred by the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad of Assam.

Shri Phanjoubam Iboton Singh receives the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to Manipuri dance.