Suryamukhi Devi

🪔 About

Thiyam Suryamukhi Devi was a celebrated Indian classical dancer, renowned for her profound contributions to the Manipuri dance form over five decades. Born on June 1, 1935, in Keishampat Leimajam Leikai, Imphal, Manipur, she hailed from a family deeply rooted in the arts; her father, Thiyam Iboton Singh, was a famous Pung player, and her mother, Thiyam Ongbi Tombimacha Devi, was known for making Manipuri traditional outfits. Suryamukhi Devi began her artistic journey at a very early age as a child artist at the Aryan Theatre, Imphal, where she debuted in the role of "Modhuchandra." She received her formal training in Manipuri dance from eminent gurus including Yambem Mahavir, Padma Meishnam Amubi Singh, Haobam Atomba Singh, Amudon Sharma, Kh. Lokeshwar, A. Yaimabi, and Th. Babu Singh. She also explored contemporary dance under choreographers like Apurnikarta, Prabhat Ganguli, and Narendra Sharma, and trained in Mayurbhanj Chhau dance under Guru Krishnachandra Naik. Suryamukhi Devi was associated with Nrityashram, a pioneering Manipuri dance institute founded by Guru Yambem Mahavir, from its inception in 1950. She joined the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) in 1958, serving as a Production Assistant and later as a senior dancer, retiring in 2006. Her career as a performer began in 1952, with performances across various states of India. Her international debut came in 1954 when she was part of a six-member Manipuri cultural delegation representing India in the erstwhile Soviet Union. She subsequently performed in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, showcasing classical Manipuri forms such as Raas Leela, Lai Haraoba, and tribal folk traditions. Suryamukhi Devi also composed several Manipuri solo dances, including Basanta Varnan, Sakhi Ukti, Yasoda, and Dooti Sambad. She dedicated her life to the development and popularization of Manipuri classical dance, striving to preserve its originality. She was the Chief Functionary of the "Research Centre for Manipuri Art and Culture." Thiyam Suryamukhi Devi passed away on June 29, 2025, at the age of 90. Awards & Honours: State Kala Akademi Award (1985), Nirtya Bhusan Upadhi (1999), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2003), Guru Tarunkumar Saman (2009), Padma Shri (2025).