Ngangbi Devi

🪔 About

Haobam Ongbi Ngangbi Devi (1924-2014) was a distinguished Indian classical dancer and musician, widely recognized for her profound contributions to the Manipuri Dance forms of Lai Haraoba and Raas. Born on August 1, 1924, in Uripok Bachaspati Leikai, Imphal, Manipur, she inherited a rich artistic lineage from her father, Kijam Bokul Singh, a renowned Sankirtan Pala performer. Ngangbi Devi commenced her artistic journey at the tender age of five, receiving initial training in Manipuri dance and music from the Manipuri Sangeertan Sangh. Her debut as an artiste took place at the Jaipaiguri Festival in Kolkata in 1930. Between 1932 and 1940, she delved deeper into Lai Haraoba, Raas, and various ethnic dance forms under the tutelage of eminent gurus such as Guru Atomba Singh, Yumnam Ojah Natum Singh, Guru M. Amubi Singh, Ngangom Ojah Jugindro Singh, and Rajkumar Surjabaro Singh. She also received comprehensive training in classical music from Ustad Meisnam Bidhu Singh, Chingakham Radhacharan Singh, Guru Maisnam Thambon Singh, and Kshetrimayum Ojha Bidhu Singh, and even learned martial arts from Ojha Pheijao Sana and Ojha Damu Singh. Ngangbi Devi is credited as the first classical singer from Manipur, recording for All India Radio and lending her voice as a playback singer for 'Mainu Pemcha' in 1948, the first Manipuri feature film. Additionally, she pursued acting, performing with the Manipur Dramatic Union, Rupmahal Theatre, and Aryan Theatre from 1936 to 1945. Her career at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) in Imphal began in 1954, where she was appointed as a musician and instructor. She steadily rose through the ranks, becoming the Head of the Department of Folk and Community Dance in 1966 and eventually serving as the Vice-Principal until her retirement in 1985. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in researching Lai Haraoba and developing a syllabus for the academy, training numerous students who later became leading performers. Ngangbi Devi's contributions were recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Manipur State Kala Akademi Award in 1980, the Nritya Bhushan Award in 1985, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1993, and the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2010. She passed away on June 12, 2014, in Imphal. Awards & Honours: Birangana title (1951), Gold Medal (1951), Manipur State Kala Akademi Award (1980), Nritya Bhushan Award (1985), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1993), Padma Shri (2010).