Prof. Mandavi Singh, an esteemed figure in both the artistic and academic realms of Kathak Dance, currently holds the distinguished position of the first Vice-Chancellor at Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalay, Lucknow. Her illustrious career includes two tenures as Vice-Chancellor at Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, Chhattisgarh, spanning from 2011 to 2020. It was revered Guru Prof. P D Ashirwadam who recognized her talent in Kathak dance, trained under his tutelage she went on paving her career in performing arts. Currently refining her craft under the able guidance of Pt. Jai Kishan Maharaj. She has earned numerous accolades, notably the prestigious 'Shringar Mani' award from Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai, alongside national and international recognition. She has performed at prestigious programmes and festivals in India and overseas. Choreographies like ‘Mere Swami ki Vivek Yatra’, ‘Nartan Sarwasvam’, ‘Meghdoot’, and many more are to her credit.
Dr. Singh's contributions extend beyond performance, as evidenced by her scholarly pursuits, she has been a Fellow at the esteemed Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla and has also been awarded Post-Doctoral Fellowship by the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi. She prefers to be seen as a teacher primarily with over 35 years of teaching and research experience, Dr. Singh's pedagogical impact resonates globally, with students from India and abroad benefiting from her expertise.
Her commitment to Kathak extends to research and preservation efforts, particularly in the Raigarh style. She has also been trained in Raigarh style of Kathak by Guru Kalyan Das Mahant. A series of 9 episodes on Raigarh style of Kathak is to her credit which was aired by Prasar Bharti. Her works have been published in form of books and articles in various research journals and magazines. She has also been invited in various national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops as a Subject Expert and Panelist. Beyond academia, Dr. Singh's leadership extends to various selection committees for Vice-Chancellor of different Universities and advisory bodies, including roles with UGC New Delhi, NAAC Bangalore, and ICCR New Delhi. She also contributes to the academic landscape as a member of Board of Studies and Academic Bodies across Indian and foreign universities. s. In addition to fostering global interest in Indian culture, Prof. Singh aims to advance productive research in the domain of performing arts and encourage scholars worldwide to engage in multidisciplinary studies.