Guru Leimapokpam Lakpati Singh : Manipuri Nata Sankritan Mahajagya
'An obedient disciple and a path follower of his Gurus'

Yumnam Suren Wangkhei *

Leimapokpam Lakpati Singh :: Pix - TSE

To be a professionally expert person in any field of our life without the lead of a guide or a mentor is impossible. It helps them to achieve their goals and to do things in their best possible way. Only the devotion and sincerity of the disciple towards their gurus will ultimately make them a successful learner. Even though the learner has become whatsoever big in life, he/she never stops to respect their guides or Aadi Gurus. This is a tradition which has been going on from the very beginning.

The meaning of guru itself is the one who removes the ignorance of disorder from our lives and teaches us how to live a happy life. There are many Gurus in one's life but the importance of his/her first Guru is something different. They have been given a prominent place by their obedient disciple.

Guru Leimapokpam Lakpati Singh, a maestro and a mentor of Nata Sankritana was born in Manipur, at Kwakeithel Nganapi Thong Mapal, western side of Imphal. He is now 83, he still follows the finest path of his Guru, Shree Khangembam Gulapi Singh (1919-81) who guided and nurtured him in the field of Nata Sankritana. Guru Leimapokpam Lakpati Singh did his 'Boriba' (a ritual of visiting his/her Guru for the first time with some special offerings) when he was only 17/18.

From the day onward of Guru Boriba he never says the exact name of his Guru individually or in any conversation with others. This is really a very unique and special ritual practiced in Manipur which is very precious for every 'Sishya' or disciple. This is the culture inherited by our forefathers and it's still preserving by the present generation.

Apart from others, Guru Leimapokpam Lakpati Singh is serving the institution called 'Gulapi Nata Sankritana Academy' as a director. It was founded in the year 1993, the very same year, they have started a kind of ritual for Guru called 'Guru Kritan Seba' here the tribute is given to Guru Gulapi Singh including all the renowned and dedicated artists of Nata Sankirtana, Manipuri Jagoi, Bashak (a kind of traditional art form of singing in the name of Lord), Khongjom Prava, Wari Liba (Story-telling), Amaiba Amaibi Jagoi (priest and priestess dancing form) all are paid homage also celebrating their works and sacrifices.

The Guru kritan Seba is celebrated during the Mid –October (mera gi 14 ni panba, thanil) of every year, which was organized by the Gulapi Nata Sankritana Academy with traditional folk song, Nata Sankritana Program, etc because the same day Guru Gulapi Singh himself left for the heavenly abode . May his soul rest in peace. There were times when Guru was worshipped and paid gratitude.

The term Guru-Sishya parampara or lineage or teacher-disciple relationship which centered around the transmission of teachings from a guru to a disciple has become shattered but there are some who still exist. They are the true teacher and mentor who sets an example for the future, inspiring the future generation to maintain the culture and tradition of Guru-Sishya Parampara till the end. Likewise, Guru Leimapokpam Lakpati Singh is one of them whose works are precious and incomparable to all.

Guru Leimapokpam Lakpati Singh was born on 21st of October, Saturday, 1939 at Kwakeithel Nganapi Thong Mapal, Imphal West, Manipur. But as a custom, the exact date of birth of Guru is replaced by 12th of Oct, 1953 as his academic age. Guru Lakpati belongs to a culturally rich background family, all his parents and grandparents were mostly the artists of Nata Sankirtana or other art forms. He used to hear songs and folk songs from an early age.

His father Shree Leimapokpam Hirachandra Singh (1891-1961) was a very famous artist and mentor of Nata Sankirtana. He was also a guide of Guru Gulapi Singh and he was always honored and respected by the Guru maintaining the respect of being his Guru. In the year, 1935 king Churachand Singh (1891-1982) awarded him for his outstanding work of pioneering the Nata Sankirtana in Manipur Language.

And his mother was also an artist of Nata Sankirtana, her name was Ibemhal, surname Elangbam. There is an interesting story behind the name Lakpati given to Guru Lakpati Singh by his father. It was when Ibemhal was expecting his son, Lakpati Singh within 5 months his father prospered a lot. It was like all the blessings showered upon them by God to their family. He was so successful in those days. Even they have become so rich at that time. So, the name itself is very precious and blessed to Guru Lakpati Singh.

An Artist of Nata Sankirtana like Guru Lakpati Singh is a born artist at the same time a very good student. He always stood first or second in his final examinations. Simultaneously he was very fond of learning music and culture because at the time the Manipuri traditional art forms like 'Nupa Pala' 'Angng gi khubak Ishei' were very famous. He was always taking part in it and people used to like him and his performances. Predominantly, from time to time his works were immensely appreciated because during those days he never missed to participate in any culture and religious program activities of Nata Sankirtana.

In 1974, when he was 35 Guru Lakpati Singh joined the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy. However, he retired from the post of lecturer/teacher in 2013 as the grande Guru and from 11th of May, 2015 Guru Lakpati Singh is a visiting Guru at the same academy till now.

The name of the Gurus whom Guru Lakpati Singh learned Nata Sankirtana and other related art forms are:

1. Sangeet Ratna Guru Khagembam Gulapi Singh, Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai.
2. Former Jai Patra of Sri Govindaji , Laishram Tolpishak Singh, Kwakeithel Laishram Leikai.
3. Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee , Guru Sagolsem Shem kalidaman Singh Thangmeiban Lourung Purel Leikai.
4. Padma Shree Awardee, Guru kongrailatpam Ibomcha Sharma ( Abhiram Saba), Kwakeithel Mayai koibi.
5. Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, Guru Thangjam Chaoba Singh, Khurai Thangjam Leikai.
6. Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee , Guru Maibam Ibungohal Singh, Ningom Thongjao.
7. Guru khaidem Biramangol Singh, Kwakeithel Thiyam Leikai.
8. Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Guru Laishram Ibohalmacha Singh, Kwakeithel Laishram Leikai.
9. Guru Toijam Nitai Singh, Sangeet Ratna, Wangkhei Thambalkhong.
10. Guru Okram Tomba Singh, Singjamei Khongnang Pheidekpi.
11. Guru Thounaojam Kunjo Singh, Nongmeibung.
12. Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, Guru Shrimati Mongjam Subadani Devi, Lilando Lampak.
13. Guru Hanjabam Nandakishare Sharma, Vyakaran Shastri, Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal and
14. Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee Guru Sorokhaibam Naran Singh, Kongpal respectively.

Undoubtedly, it would not be enough to say that Guru Lakpati Singh is a person who plays a powerful role of spreading the unique culture of the Nata Sankirtana within the country and beyond. Through the souvenir of Silver Jubilee Celebration of the Guru Kirtan Seva XXV, the director of the Gulapi Nata Sankirtana Academy delivered a speech which says that, "Only for the reason of UNESCO recognition, we cannot ignored the fact that the name and the value of this art form is diminishing day by day at the same time, the confusions about this art form are also increasing. But there is no one who will solve this problem.

The development art forms of this art form which bring forth the name of our state Manipur, evolved from the soil of our motherland are the cultural institutions like J.N.M Dance Academy, Department of Art and culture, Manipur State Kala Academy, Dept of Art and culture, Manipur, Manipur University and Newly founded University of culture and Department of Sankirtana. This is the time we should try to remember and check the improvements of these institutions cooperatively.

Further, Let us have a look at some outstanding works done in India and outside by Guru Lakpati Singh

1. 'Meitei Sankirtana Eshei Phangnaba', 1973 organized by Manipur Sahitya Parishad
2. 'The World Convention' on the 500th Anniversary of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, 1976.
3. 'The 7th Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Cachar, Assam , 1976
4. 'Tiro Bhav Utsav of Rajarshree Maharaj Bhagyachandra, Tripura, Assam, 1988
5. 'The Assam Festival of Theatre of Dance & Martial Art' , Kolkata, 1988
6. 'Nata Pala festival' organized by DDK Imphal, 1993
7. 'Guru Ningshing Thouram' organized by Manipur Kala Kendra, 1993
8. Rasa festival, organized by Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy, Manipur, 1993.
9. 'The world Sankirtana Festival' organized by ISKON, 1995.
10. 'The Festival of Baul kirtana & Bhajan of Eastern India, 1995.

11. 'Song Performance at DDK, Guwahati, 1995.
12. 'Khubak Eshei', organized by Anjika Kolkata, 1995.
13. 'Guru Barunkumar Dance Festival', 1996
14. 'Rasa Nupa Pala', Gujarat, 1997
15. 'Nabadip', West Bengal, 1998, 200th Death Anniversary of Rajarshree Maharaja Bhagyachandra.
16. 'Theatro Tascibile Di Bergayo' ,Italy, 1998
17. 'Sana Leibak Festival' organized by Mumbai Banyan Tree and Jaberi Sister,2000
18. 'A one month Awareness Program on Manipuri Nata Sankirtana, Myanmar, 2000
19. 'Festival of Imaji Nation', Paris , 2011
20. 'A Five Day Festival of Rasa with Nata Sankirtana', 217th Death Anniversary of Rajashree Maharaja Bhagyachandra, Manipur, 1996.

21. 'Brindaban Prakashan Mahotsav' organized by Sangeet Natak Academy, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, 2015
22. 218th Death Anniversary of Rajarshree Maharaja Bhagyachandra organised by Radhakund, Mathura, UP, 2016
23. 'Meet the Singer', celebrated during Imphal Book fair, 2016
24. 'Pratha Parva' organised by New Delhi Sangeet Natak Academy.
25. 'Rhitu Varnan', The Festival of Solo Performance, 2017
26. 'Nata Sankirtan' (Yeningthagi Eshei) organized by AIR Imphal, 2017

In addition, Guru Lakpati Singh has been performing as 'Eshei Hanba' in Khongjom Day celebration on 23rd of April every year and also as an 'A' grade artist of AIR Imphal .

The Guru has published a number of books to extend a help for the future generation namely:

1. 'Shree Govind Thouram Seireng' (short) 1998.
2. 'Guru Vyakaron', 2002
3. 'Meitei Nata Sankirtana Neinaba' (The first Analysis), 2002
4. 'Meitei Nata Sankirtana Neinaba' (The Second Analysis), 2003
5. 'Nata Sankirtana Taal', 2004
6. 'Meitei Nata Sankirtana Neinaba (The Third Analysis), 2009
7. 'Nata Sankirtana', 2009

For his excellent performance and inspiring works, he has been rewarded with many valuable awards, fellowships and honorary degrees. And the rewards are:

1. Scholarship (Nata Sankirtana, Vocal), Manipur State Kala Academy, 1976
2. 'Guru Amubi Fellowship in Nata Sankirtana', the highest fellowship of Manipur State Kala Academy, 1979
3. Gold Medal, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, 1989
4. 'Bhaktivedanta Award', Ragniketan, 1995
5. ' Manipur State Kala Academy Award', 1997
6. 'Shree Shree Govindaji Nata Pala Eshei Hanba, 1997
7. Senior Fellowship in Manipur (Nata Sankirtana) from department of culture, New Delhi, 1998.
8. 'Sangeet Natak Academy Award', 2001
9. 'Sangeet Ratna', Manipur Sahitya Parishad, 2002.
10. 'Kala Ratna' Kala Badan, Mumbai, 2004

11. Jai Patra Shree Shree Govindaji Temple Board , 2013
12. 'Abhinandan Patra' on International Sankirtana Day from Manipur Government, 2015
13. Honoured during the celebration of World Dance Day organized by Manipur University and sponsored by Sangeet Natak Academy, 2018
14. 'Guru Abhiram Sharma Award', Guru Abhiram Saba( Seba) Trust, 2018
15. 'Dr. BR Ambedkar International Award 2018' by the Dalit Sahitya Academy in the Indo-Nepal Dalit Sahitya Conference 2018 in the field of Sankirtana at Kathmandu, Nepal.
16. Lifetime Achievement Award 2019 by the Dalit Sahitya Academy in the Indo-Singapore International Dalit Sahitya conference 2019 held on 12th June, 2019 at Darkview Apartment function Hall, Bukit Batak Street 23, Singapore, 2019

Many things can be said as the life story of a prominent person is extremely vast but I have tried my best to sum up the life story of Guru Leimapokpam Lakpati Singh in a very possible way. Today, I would like to spread the message that the traditional art forms like Nata Sankirtana should be preserved as much as possible and the artist of this art form like Guru Leimapokpam Lakpati Singh are not be taken for granted because they are the true worshipper of his mentor and Gurus and whatever they had done far this art form are not only for our state but also for our country and for the artists who want to do something in their lives.

Lastly, Let us remember a statement given by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-82)
"Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and, departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time." It means that we can make our lives always energetic and beautiful by following the path of great people whose lives will never be forgotten".