Kshetrimayum Ongbi Thouranisabi Devi | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1946-11-03)3 November 1946 (age 79) Singjamei Sapam Leikai,Manipur, India |
| Occupation | Classical dancer |
| Known for | Principal, Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance academy |
| Spouse | Late Kshetrimayum Nawang Singh |
| Children | Ksh. Ragini Devi, Ksh. Rajen Singh, Ksh. Ranibala Devi |
| Parent(s) | Leishangthem Tampha Singh Leishangthem Ongbi Ibetombimacha Devi |
| Awards | Padma Shri Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Manipur State Kala Akademi Award Nritya Ratna Award |
Kshetrimayum Ongbi Thouranisabi Devi (born 3 November 1946) is an Indian classical dancer and author, specialising in the Indian classical dance form ofManipuri.[1][2] She was honoured by theGovernment of India in 2003 withPadma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award.[3][4]
Kshetrimayum Ongbi Thouranisabi Devi was born on 3 November 1946 at Singjamei Sapam Leikai, a small hamlet in the Indian state ofManipur to Leishangthem Tampha Singh, a polo player and Leishangthem Ongbi Ibetombimacha Devi, a known Nata Sankirtana exponent[5] as their third daughter.[6] She started stage performances at the age of 6, before she underwent any formal training. Later, she trained Ras Leela at Govindaji Nartanalaya (Government of Manipur Dance College) from the age of 10, passing the degrees,visharad andacharya and also trained under gurus such as Maishnam Amubi Singh, Amudon Sharma, H. Tomba, A. Tomba Singh, Lourembam Tombi Devi and R. K. Tomalsana before starting to perform professionally.[5][6] She has performed at many art festivals in India and other countries such as Canada, West Germany, London, Dubai and USA.[5][6]
Thouranisabi Devi is associated with Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy and has directed one of its ballet productions,Radha Sati.[5] She taught at the academy for several years as Guru Rasdhari, Guruhan and Pradhan Guru till her retirement in 2006.[5][6] She is also credited with two books,Diva Ras (2 volumes-1993) andRas Makha Amsung Nungi Masahk (2006), both based onManipuri dance and has recorded six albums forHis Master's Voice.[5][6]
Devi is a recipient of theRoyal Robe from Maharaja Okendrajit Singh and a gold medal from theGovernment of Manipur.[5][6] Manipur State Kala Akademi awarded her their annual award in 1977 and theSangeet Natak Akademi followed suit with an award in 1980.[5][6] Manipur Sahitya Parishad conferred the title,Nritya Ratna on her in 1981.[5][6] TheDepartment of Culture, Media and Sport, Government of India awarded Senior Fellowship to her in 1987 and she received a Certificate of Honour from theGovernment of Manipur in 1991.[5][6] TheGovernment of India honoured her with the civilian award ofPadma Shri in 2003.[1][2][6] She was also shortlisted forPadma Bhushan in 2011 though unsuccessfully.[7]
Kshetrimayum Ongbi Thouranisabi Devi is married to Kshetrimayum Nawang Singh and the couple lives in the Manipuri capital ofImphal.[5][6]
