Imphal, May 19: Legendary Manipuri Nata Sankirtana exponent late Yumnam Jatra Singh will be conferred the Padma Shri posthumously by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, during the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 25, 2026.

The announcement was made by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The honour recognises the late cultural icon’s immense contribution towards preserving and promoting Manipuri Nata Sankirtana, the traditional Vaishnavite dance and music form of Manipur.

For the year 2026, the Government of India has announced a total of 131 Padma Awards, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards. Among the awardees are 19 women, while 16 honours will be conferred posthumously.

Late Yumnam Jatra Singh was widely revered as a distinguished exponent of Nata Sankirtana and served as a visiting guru at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA). His lifelong dedication to safeguarding Manipur’s rich cultural and spiritual traditions earned him several State and national honours.

Reacting to the announcement, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh described the recognition as “a moment of pride for Manipur,” stating that the posthumous Padma Shri was a fitting tribute to the late guru’s extraordinary contribution to Indian classical art and the cultural identity of the state.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla also expressed pride over the national recognition accorded to the late artiste.

In a statement on social media, the Governor said Yumnam Jatra Singh’s lifelong contribution to preserving and promoting Manipuri Nata Sankirtana stands as a lasting tribute to Manipur’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions.
The Civil Investiture Ceremony will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 25, where the Padma Awards for 2026 will officially be conferred by the President of India.