Yumlembam Gambhini Devi Biography 
Yumlembam Gambhini Devi is a singer and dancer of Manipuri tradition. She is a singer of Nata Sankirtana and dancer of Manipuri Raas. She is a renowned teacher as well, who currently teaches at Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy. She has been a student of the academy earlier, who secured a post graduate diploma in Raas. Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1988 and Padma Shri in 2005 are the major honours received by her, for her contributions towards Manipuri music and dance. Nritya Ratna Award and Nat Sangeet Award are other major honours received by her.
Yumlembam Gambhini Devi was born on 1 January 1945 in Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai, Manipur. Her father Y. Gulap Singh was a Nata Sankirtana performer. She was fourth among 8 siblings of the family. She started learning music and dance at the age of 5 and gave her first stage performance at the age of seven. For advanced studies, she enrolled at Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy. She received training in Manipuri dance from renowned gurus like Amudon Sharma, Maisnam Amubi Singh, Khaidem Lokeshor Singh, Kshetritombi Devi, Ngangom Jogendra Singh and Ibopishak Sharma. Nongmaithem Tomba Singh, Khanda Moina Dan, Ngangom Jogendra Singh and Thokchom Gopal Singh were her gurus in Manipuri music.
After studies she joined at her alma mater as a faculty, where she worked till 2005. Later she became a visiting Senior Guru. She was the first female artist from the state of Manipur to become a Top Grade Artist at All India Radio, Imphal station. She founded YGR, Nat Sankirtana Sheidam Shang, where students are taught different Manipuri dance forms. She also remained a member of selection committee of the Rabindra Bharati University and the Central Dance Audition Board of the Doordarshan.
Published: March 01, 2019
Updated: March 01, 2019
