Maisnam Amubi Singh

🪔 About

Maisnam Amubi Singh (November 21, 1881 – June 29, 1972) was a towering figure in the Indian classical dance form of Manipuri, widely recognized as a guru and innovator. Born in Imphal, Manipur, his artistic inclinations were nurtured from a young age; his father, Maisnam Samu Singh, a chief of the royal army, was adept at mridang-playing, and his mother, Rajkumari Dhakendri Devi, a royal descendant, sang Rās dance songs and was a principal dancer at the royal palace. Singh received his early training from notable gurus including Konsam Ojha Chura Singh, Oja Chaonu Sharma, and his elder brother Maisnam Ibungohal Singh. He further honed his skills under Oja Jhulonmacha Singh of the Manipur royal durbar, eventually becoming an assistant and then succeeding him in the durbar. He performed lead roles in various dance forms such as Rās-leelā, Gosṭha-leelā, Udukhol-leelā, and Gaur-leelā. His career saw significant milestones, including leading a Manipuri dance troupe sent by Maharaja Sir Churachand Singh in 1934 for performances across India. He taught Manipuri dance at Uday Shankar's school in Almora for several years and later served as a dance teacher in New Delhi after World War II. Singh is credited with pioneering solo dance in Manipuri. He composed significant works like "The Duet of Hansa and Damayanti" and the solo number "Neela Kamala dala Ghanshyam" for Amala Shankar. Maisnam Amubi Singh was a founding supervisor of the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipuri Dance Academy, established in 1954. He also founded the Guru Amubi Nritya Vidyalaya, a Manipuri Dance Training Centre, in 1948, and the Manipuri Jagoi Marup, a performing troupe, in 1963. His contributions were recognized with the 'Nritya Guru' Award by the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad in 1954, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1956 (making him the first recipient from Manipur), and the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 1970. Awards & Honours: Nritya Guru Award (1954), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1956), Padma Shri (1970).