Yaikhom Hemanta Kumar

Yaikhom Hemanta Kumar is  a trained Manipuri dancer, choreographer, teacher and even Manipuri Pung (Mridanga) player. He took training in Pung, Mridanga (Manipuri Drum) from eminent Gurus like Guru Yendrembam Nandi Singh and  Guru Yumnam Sekho Singh , Manipur State Kala Academy Awardees. Then he did three years Certificate Course in Manipuri Dance from Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA), Imphal in 1973-76. In addition to that he completed the three years Diploma Course in Manipuri Dance from JNMDA, Imphal in 1976-79. Then he completed two years Post Graduate Diploma Course in Manipuri Dance (Specialization in Raas) from JNMDA, Imphal in 1979-81. Not even that he did the three years Diploma Course in Creative Choreography from Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi under the guidance of eminent Choreographer Padmashree Guru R.K. Singhajit Singh in 1985-87.

Presently working as an Associate Professor in Manipuri Classical Dance in Sangit Bhavan, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan. He also wrote book on Manipuri Dance the Publication is 'Punglon Bhangee Pareng Mangagi' 

Yaikhom Hemanta Kumar has worked as Honorary  Principal and Director of the Dance Department of Sangit Kala Sangam Khurai, Imphal Manipur  since 1978 to 1985 and 1991 to 1993. He has even worked as Honorary Director and Choreographer of Performing Artiste Centre, Khurai, Imphal, Manipur from 1987-90. He has produced many National Scholarship holding students in India and talented performers of Indian and foreign students. He has also directed several Tagore’s Dance Dramas viz. ‘Chandalika’ (2009), ‘Chitrangada’ and ‘Bhanusingher Padavali’ (2010) for the participation of National & International Dance Festivals organized by Sangit Natak Academy. And worked as Research Guide with Research scholars in various Universities.

*Yaikhom Hemanta Kumar has worked as Honorary Principal and Director of the Dance Department of Sangit Kala Sangam Khurai, Imphal Manipur  since 1978 to 1985 and 1991 to 1993

*He has even worked as Honorary Director and Choreographer of Performing Artiste Centre, Khurai, Imphal, Manipur from 1987-90

*Produced many National Scholarship holding students in India and Talented Performers of Indian and foreigners’ students.

*Directed several Tagore’s Dance Dramas viz. ‘Chandalika’ (2009), ‘Chitrangada’ and ‘Bhanusingher Padavali’ (2010) for the participation of National & International Dance Festivals organized by Sangit Natak Academy. 

*Worked as Research Guide with Research scholars in various Universities.

Presently he is working as an Associate Professor in Manipuri Classical Dance in Sangit Bhavan, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan. He also wrote book on Manipuri Dance the Publication is 'Punglon Bhangee Pareng Mangagi' 

Prestigious Performances in India        :

*Performed in various places in India for Inter State Cultural Exchange Program sponsored by Sangit Natak Academy, New Delhi

*Republic Day Dance Program in New Delhi in 1981 and 1993

*Young Dancers Festival, at IICC ,New Delhi in 1986

*Performed in various Zonal Dance Festivals like Upana Utsav in New Delhi & Mumbai

*Dweep Mahotsav in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1988

*’ Maru Se Sagar Tak ‘ Dance Festival the dance journey from Udaipur to Goa sponsored by Western Zonal Cultural Centre , Udaipur and Govt. of Goa in 1989

*Uday Shankar National Dance Festival in 1999 and 2005 at Kolkotta.

*Performed at the Doordarshan Programmes of DDK Imphal 1997, DDK Guwahati 1998, DDK Santiniketan 2000 and National Doordarshan , New Delhi in  1985, 86.

Abroad Performances     :

*Participated at Char Adhyay Dance & Music Festival at Colombo Sri-Lanka in 2012.

*Visual and Performing Arts, University, Colombo and Chandana’s Dancercs Guild  Colombo, in Sri Lanka for Lecture & Demonstrations in 2010. 

*Colombo in 2007  in invitation by Chana Upuli Performing Arts Foundation and  ICCR  Colombo, Sri Lanka.

*Nepal in 1993  in  invitation.

*Czechoslovakia in 1989 as Indian Cultural Delegates at the  India Day Celebration Sponsored by ICCR.

*Paris in 1989 as Indian Cultural Delegates Sponsored by ICCR.

*USSR in 1985 as Indian Cultural Delegates  Sponsored  by  ICCR.

*Kabul in 1985 as Indian Cultural Delegates  Sponsored by  ICCR.