Sonal Mansingh is one of India’s greatest classical dancers, renowned for her expertise in Bharatanatyam and Odissi. She founded the Centre for Indian Classical Dances in 1977 and has received honors including the Padma Bhushan (1992), Padma Vibhushan (2003), and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987). An accomplished author, her works like A Life Like No Other and Incredible India celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage. She has also served as chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi and as a nominated Rajya Sabha member (2018-2024). In June 2025, she was awarded the Srimanta Sankardeva Award for her lifelong contribution to Indian culture.