Haobam Atomba Singh

🪔 About

Haobam Atomba Singh (1885-1975), also known as Tomba Singh, was an eminent guru of Manipuri dance, born in Imphal, Manipur, India, on December 10, 1885, and passing away on February 21, 1975, in the same city. Hailing from a family deeply rooted in dance and teaching, he commenced his training at an early age under numerous distinguished gurus of Manipuri dance and music, becoming a custodian of the ancient traditions of Ras dancing. His early career saw him assisting his guru, Jhoolan Singh, in training dancers for a troupe that performed for the Prince of Wales in Calcutta. He subsequently toured extensively across Bengal and Assam as a teacher and a prominent member of this troupe. A pivotal period in his career was his association with Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, who invited him to Shantiniketan. Here, Atomba Singh taught Manipuri dance, with sources indicating his tenure lasted either about three years or approximately 15 years. During his time at Shantiniketan, he imparted the intricate aspects of Chali and various Bhangis to his students, earning high regard from Tagore himself, who recognized his contributions with a gold medal certificate. Dr. Kalidas Nag also honored him with several medals and certificates. Beyond Shantiniketan, he taught at various institutions in Calcutta, Shillong, and other locations. In 1954, he joined the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) in Imphal as a teacher, where he continued to serve for a considerable period. For his profound contributions and lifelong dedication to Manipuri dancing, Haobam Atomba Singh was honored with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1958. He is revered as one of the "Trimurti Gurus" of Manipuri Raas dance, alongside Guru Takhelchangbam Amudon Sharma and Guru Maisnam Amubi Singh, for their unparalleled contributions to the art form. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1958), Gold Medal Certificate from Rabindranath Tagore, Medals and Certificates from Dr. Kalidas Nag.