An artist should be hard working, patient: Guru Rewben Mashangva
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Geet Loitongbam

Imphal, December 26 2011: Renowned folk musician, Guru Rewben Masangva, who is engaged in popularing the folk music of Manipur to the outside world in its original form, is of the firm belief that an artist should be hard working, patient and also work for the upliftment of the art form.

Rewben Mashangva, who received the North East Excellence Award, 2011 for his contribution in bringing peace among the various ethnic tribes in North East India through folk music, interacting with this reporter said that if an artist commits oneself to its own art, there is nothing to stop him from being successful.

But imitating others is not the right approach.

Rewben Mashangva will also be awarded the "Chingmi-Tammi Khudol Award" by the Meetei National Front on the occasion of 283rd observation of Puya Mei Thaba, in recognition of his tireless efforts to bring peace and love among the people of the hills and the valleys through his folk songs.

Expressing his gratefulness on being chosen for the award, Rewben Mashangva said that MNF chosen him for this prestigious award in recognition of his effort.

He had also composed a song on the lyrics of late Oja Akaba based on folk music.

Rewben Mashangba was born in Choithar village, Ukhrul on June 21, 1951.He is the eldest among nine siblings born to late Shangphgai Mashangva.

The love for music came to him when he attained the age of 33.He left Ukhrul and settled at Nagaram in Imphal in 1987 and began singing in 1990.He began giving live performances in 1992 .

Better known as the King of Naga Folk Blues, Rewben Mashangva further told this reporter that he has been singing the folk songs with a touch of Western musical elements, without actually breaking the culture and tradition of the Nagas.

He also revealed that to catch the hearts and minds of the national and international listeners, he has been, for the last 2/3 years, trying to mix the folk music of the different ethnic groups of North East India and come up with different tunes.

Fortunately people began to appreciate the music, thereby enabling him to establish his own place in the field if folk music.

Rewben Mashangva is blessed with a son and three daughters.

His son, Saka, is also into music and has performed at various international platforms along with his father.

He is now presently studying in class V at Tiny Totes School.

His better half, Happy Love, is also a teacher at Tiny Tots.

Rewben Mashangva has so far produced three albums.

The copyright of his last album "Our Story" is produced by Times Music and will be out in the stores very soon.

He will be getting 20% of the sales as Royalty income, once the album comes out in stores.

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