Yumlembam Gambhini Devi

🪔 About

Yumlembam Gambhini Devi, born on January 1, 1945, in Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai, Manipur, is a highly celebrated Indian classical dancer and singer. Her father, Y. Gulap Singh, was a professional Nata Sankirtana and Sangeet artist, fostering her early interest in the arts. She began her formal training in dance and singing at the age of five. Devi holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Raas from the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) in Imphal. Throughout her career, she received extensive training from eminent gurus in Manipuri dance, including Amudon Sharma, Maisnam Amubi Singh, Khaidem Lokeshor Singh, Kshetritombi Devi, Ngangom Jogendra Singh, and Ibopishak Sharma. For music, specifically Monoharsai Kirtan, her gurus included Nongmaithem Tomba Singh, Khanda Moina Dan, Ngangom Jogendra Singh, and Thokchom Gopal Singh. She also trained in Nat Sangeet under Shri Kh. Gulapi Singh and K. Abhiram Sharma. Her debut performance was at the age of seven, playing 'Bishnupriya' at the Gopinath Mandap. She later performed as 'Radha' in Ras Leelas at the Shree Shree Govindajee temple from the age of nine to twenty-four. Devi served as a Guruhan (Senior Guru) and Sutradhari at the Department of Ras at JNMDA until her retirement in 2005, and continues to serve as a visiting guru. She is recognized as the first female artist in Manipur to achieve the 'Top' grade artist status for Nat Sankirtan Music (Vocal) at All India Radio, Imphal, in 2008. She has performed extensively across India and internationally in cities like London, Paris, New York, Washington, and Chicago. A prolific artist, she is also a lyricist, with her songs compiled into two albums and two audio cassettes. She authored a book titled 'Basak' on Basak songs. She founded a music training institute, YGR, Nat Sankirtana Sheidam Shang, around 1995, and has trained numerous artists from various cities in India and Bangladesh. Awards & Honours: Nritya Ratna Award (1979), Nat Sangeet Award (1980), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1988), Senior Fellowship (1988), Padma Shri (2005), Gold Medals of Khubak Eshaei, Silver Medals for Nat Sankirtana, Gold Medals for Basak.