Chakradhar Singh

Raja Chakradhar Singh (19 August 1905 He succeeded to throne of Raigrah upon death of his elder brother, Raja Natwar Singh in 1924. The government management however continued till 1927 when Raja was invested with powers.

Music He was a great patron of Indian arts, classical dance, music invited to his capital music and dance-experts from different parts of the country. His contribution has been important in the development of the classical form of Kathak. During the reign of Raja Chakradhar Singh, experts of both the gharanas, namely, Jaipur and Lucknow gained prominent positions and were patronised by him. The Raigarh Gharana of Kathak was established by him during his reign, which produced many luminaries, dancers, singers and musicians due to his patronage and philanthropy. Among the noted Kathak exponents to have served his court were Pandit Jaggannath Prasad of Jaipur Gharana and Guru Kalaka Prasad and his sons of Lucknow Gharana. His name is often taken with Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh as a patron of classical Indian dance and music, especially with respect to Kathak dance and Hindustani classical music. Among the dancers and musicians to have performed or served his court were Pandit Makhan Lal Chaturvedi, Dr. Ramkumar Verma, Pandit Mahaveer Prasad Dwivedi, Pandit Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi. Even Sanskrit language writers like Pandit Sadashiv Das, Pandit Sharda Prasad, Pandit Kashi Dutt Jha served him, through them he translated a lot of music and dance literature in Sanskrit.

His second son Surendra Kumar Singh was a politician of Indian National Congress.

Legacy There is a music academy established after him, as his memorial at Raigarh.