Manish Kumar Rai is a distinguished Software Quality Assurance Engineer-Lead at IRIS Software, where he applies his expertise to ensure the highest standards in software quality. Alongside his professional career, Manish has nurtured a deep-seated passion for dance, which has been a significant part of his life from a young age.
Born in January 1987, he was the youngest in his family, with elder sisters and a brother who played pivotal roles in shaping his early interests. His introduction to the world of dance came in 1994, when he watched a dance video featuring Madhuri Dixit from the movie Anjaam, specifically the song “Chane Ke Khet Mein.” Captivated by Dixit’s performance, Manish developed a profound admiration for Kathak, a classical dance form. He began formal training in Kathak in 1996 under the Benaras Gharana in his hometown of Varanasi.
His dance journey took a significant turn in 1999 when he attended a cultural festival where he witnessed a Bharatanatyam ballet performed by Hema Malini. This experience ignited his interest in Bharatanatyam, leading him to pursue this dance form alongside Kathak. His dedication to classical dance was evident as he balanced his academic pursuits with his passion for dance throughout his college years.
In 2007, Manish enrolled in engineering studies but continued to excel in dance, participating in numerous inter-college, intra-college, and national-level competitions. His commitment to both his profession and dance earned him accolades and recognition.
His academic achievements in dance were marked by significant milestones. He completed his Ph.D. in Kathak in 2011 and his Ph.D. in Bharatanatyam in 2012. His dedication to the art form also led him to explore Odissi, another classical dance style. He enrolled in a master’s program for Odissi and continued to refine his skills.
In 2017, he achieved a notable recognition by securing the Third Prize in the International Dance Competition hosted by Dance with Madhuri. This accomplishment allowed him the unique opportunity to meet Madhuri Dixit and receive his award directly from her.
His contributions to classical dance have been recognized both nationally and internationally. He has been nominated and actively participates in events organized by ICD/CID, UNESCO, Paris. His dance training has been enriched by learning from eminent personalities such as Pandit Birju Maharaj, Shovana Narayan, and Sonal Mansingh.
During recent years, he has embraced online & offline competitions and dance festivals and recitals, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in the dance realm. His aspiration is to open a dance studio to promote classical and fusion dance forms, further enriching the cultural landscape.
He has been honored with numerous awards for his contributions to dance, including the Natya Kala Jothi Award 2020 by Raaba Media Chennai, Indian Glory Awards 2021 by Kites Kart Production Ludhiana, Nritya Sadhana Award 2022 by ANASS Nagpur, Karnataka Ratna Samman Award by DWH Bangalore, Kamal Ratna Puraskar 2024 by Veyil Foundation Bengaluru, Bharat Kala Tilak 2022 by NCN Kalakshetram Hyderabad, Sri Natya Chaithanya National Award 2023 by NCDA Sringeri, Karnataka Natyakala Shree Award 2022 by Natyakala Cultural Center Bangalore, Kalakriti Nritya Bhusan Award 2024 by Nandanik Manush Foundation Kolkata, Gnana Saraswathi Award 2023 by Sri Harsha Natyalaya Warangal, and multiple world records from Karnataka Book of Records and International Book of Records.
His journey is a remarkable blend of professional achievement and artistic excellence, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to both his career in software quality assurance and his passion for classical dance.

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