TODAY -

Haobam Ongbi Ngangbi Devi
- Padmashree Awardee, 2010 in the field of Art (Music and Dance) -

By Donny Meisnam Luwang *


Haobam Ongbi Ngangbi Devi. The name itself will remain cherished in the context of Manipur history for her dedication and contribution to both Manipuri music and dance. She not only is a singer and dancer but has devoted her entire life in identifying potential dancers and singers of diverse forms in the state of Manipur and promoting them through her association with the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur dance Academy at Imphal. She was the first woman to be associated since the foundation of the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy.

Haobam Ongbi Ngangbi Devi was born on the 1st August, 1924 to a professional Sankirtan Pala, late Shri Koijam Bokul Singh of Uripok Bachaspati Leikai, Imphal and was brought up in the midst of Manipuri Sankirtan Sangh from her very childhood days. In 1930, when she was only 5 years old, she joined the 'Manipuri Jagoi Party' and as an artiste, she participated in Manipuri Dance in the cultural program at Jalpaiguri (Mela) and Calcutta.

The journey was not an easy one as Haobam Ongbi Ngangbi Devi learnt Manipuri Dance like Lai-Haraoba, Ethnic Hills dance forms, Raas and Manipuri songs under the guidance of eminent gurus of the state like Guru Atomba Singh, Shri Late Yumnam Ojah Natum Singh, Shri Guru M. Amubi Singh, Shri Late Ngangom Ojah Jugindro Singh between the year 1932-40. Again in the year 1936 and afterwards she learnt Hindustani classical music under the guidance of Late renowned Ustad Meisnam Bidhu Singh and Late Chingakham Radhacharan Singh.

She also became the first classical singer in Manipur. Though there was Gurukuls (institute), there were no established schools or colleges. She also became the first woman voice of the state whose classical renditions were heard on radio when AIR radio programs started in Manipur. Apart from these, she also sang some of the songs of the film "Mainu Pemcha" which was recorded and produced in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta).

Haobam Ongbi Ngangbi Devi

Revealing some of her experiences, she noted that when a school/college dedicated to the art of song and dance were being introduced in the state, two teachers invited her to take part in the program. During ceremony of laying the foundation stone of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, the renowned Guru Amubi told her that the board has appointed her as a teacher of classical song of the academy and she was assigned as a teacher in both categories of song and dance.

But the number of students was no more than three. Moreover, they were very irregular and her teacher advised her to collect some willing students. She collected about 14 to 15 students from the areas of Wahengbam Leikai, Uripok etc. Her teacher would play the Mridanga (pung) and she would teach song and dance to the students coming for the program. Slowly the number of students increased and the number of teacher was also increased to three. She concentrated in teaching classical dance along with Guru Amubi. In this manner, she continued to be the instructor and alongside leading Raas dance exhibitions till the age of 23.

Her teacher advised her to research on the ethic dance forms such as Lai-Haraoba dance; these were identified as the missing parts of the dance trainings that are being imparted. Her teacher gave some hints about the areas of her work. Achoubisana took the role of a drummer and she, as a dancer and together, they visited Moirang, Kakching, Chakpa Pahyeng etc. Unfortunately, they were unable to enter Andro on account of the occasion of Lai-Haraoba at Andro being performed during which outsiders were restricted to enter. After the tour Eigya Thambal, Achoubisana and she analyzed different forms of Kanglei Haraoba, kakching Haraoba, Chakpa-Phayeng Haraoba etc. and a syllabus was made. Weekly classes commenced wherein she was the instructor. In the years 1937 to 1945, she was a student of the then institution called 'Lalit kala Bhavan' Imphal. Under the management of that institution, she toured Shillong, Guwahati and Jorhat for dance recitals. During the years 1936 to 1937 she also became an actress attached to the Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU), Rupmahal Theatre and Aryan Theatre. In 1951 she was offered Gold Medal by the Governor of Assam for the Sword Dance with the title "Birangana".

Haobam Ongbi Ngangbi Devi was married to Shri Haobam Amuba Singh of Haobam Dewan Leikai in the year 1941. She again secured a medal in the Manipuri industrial cultural exhibition sponsored by the Government of Manipur and in the year 1954 on the 14th June, she was appointed as a Mandila cum musician of the dance college, Imphal and in 1955 she joined as an artiste in the folk dance troupe of Dance College in Republic Day Folk Dance Festival and also participated in the National Dance Festival at Delhi in the same year which was sponsored by Government of India. Next year (1956), she joined the Inter-state Exchange Troupe at Lalit Kala Akademi, Jaipur House, New Delhi.

In the year 1957 May, she, as an artiste of Manipuri Dance College, joined the 'Tandan Phaibok' troupe representing Valley Fold Dance sponsored by the Manipuri Government of the Republic Day Celebration at New Delhi. In the same year, she also sang in the program at the 21st session of the Indian Royal Congress at Shillong. In 1958, on 15th March, she was appointed as a Assistant Teacher (dance) in the staff of the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal (Raas and Classical Dance). She served as the Vice-Principal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy at the time of her of retirement. When she retired, she even became the first woman pensioner of the J.N. Dance Academy, Imphal.

In the year 1960, She performed in the 34th Annual Conference and Concerts sponsored by the Music Academy Madras as a artiste of Dance College. Later in the year, she performed at the cultural program for Border Meeting at Moreh, Manipur as part of the artists from the Manipur Dance Academy in. In 1963 she joined Inter State Cultural Exchange Program in Kashmir and Punjab. And also at the 9th A.T.S.G. player at Ahmedabad.

In 1964, she was one among various Indian artists at Rangoon (Burma) representing the Indian Cultural Delegation sponsored by the Government of India. She was a playback singer in the Manipuri Dance Programs and was even appointed as a judge in the 6th Inter High School Cultural Meet 1964 sponsored by the Government of Manipur.

In 1966, she was appointed as the Head of Department of Folk and Community Dance of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal. In 1970 she joined in the cultural troupe to represent Manipur in the Inauguration Function of Meghalaya State at Tura.

For her dedication and contribution in field of Manipuri Arts, she was conferred the prestigious award State Kala Akademi Award in the year 1980 and in 1985 she also got the Natyabhushan Award sponsored by Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Imphal.

In 1994, on 6th December, she was offered the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 1993 by Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, the then President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

In the year 2010, the Government of India honored her with the most admirable national award, Padmashree, for her outstanding contribution in the field of Manipuri music and Dance.

Today, she is living with her son and daughter in law in her Uripok Tourangbam Leikai residence and still singing as her recreation.


* Donny Meisnam Luwang is a young Manipuri writer / reporter based at Imphal. He is a regular contributor to e-pao.net.
This article was webcasted at e-pao.net on 23rd April 2010.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #8
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • The fight for survival in Manipur
  • A call for unity from displaced voices
  • COVID-19: Update 08 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Dogs Are Staying on the Ground :: Poem
  • Football Tournament at Heinoukhongnembi
  • Condemns Kuki Inpi's Directive
  • Installation Ceremony of Lions Club, Imphal
  • All that can go wrong has gone wrong
  • Manipur peaceful from Delhi's perspective
  • Bashanta Ras @Govindaji #2 : Gallery
  • Hypocrisy & the betrayal of sovereignty
  • Healing with Art for children concluded
  • Manipur : Champions 24th Junior Natl Wushu
  • Path to Becoming a Leader Who Inspires
  • Van Mahotsav 2025, festival of life
  • The Flavours of Life :: Poem
  • Assault on sensibilities of the media
  • Revival of MPP after years of bitter disputes
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 2 : Ooba Video
  • Jianreilung, Chingamba, Masounii : eMing
  • How Jessami conservation of Nongin
  • Shija Hospitals turns 40
  • COVID-19: Update 06 July 2025 : Manipur
  • The Indomitable Young Souls :: Poem
  • Growing network of drug dealers in country
  • Politics of SoO pact since 2008
  • No takers for disturbance-free education
  • 31st Governor Cup Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • PM welcome to Manipur: Feel the reality
  • Kainkhol wins best Social Message Film Award
  • Distortion of facts: Manipur sports movement
  • Govt services reach Manipur's tribal villages
  • 134th Durand Cup Trophies Flag Off
  • COVID-19: Update 05 July 2025 : Manipur
  • How to take care of oily skin in monsoon
  • First-Ever Tripura Esports Championship
  • Konung Kang Chingba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Iskcon's 25th Ratha Yatra 2025
  • Native Threshing machine made for farmers
  • COVID-19: Update 04 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation
  • Include males too in addressing HPV
  • Whispers from the past :: Poem
  • LPU opens permanent outreach centre
  • Raj Bhavan moving on the right track
  • Speculations over PM Modi's visit to state
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025