Yumlembam Gambhini Devi

Yumlembam Gambhini Devi is an Indian singer of

Gambhini Devi was born on the New Year day of 1945 at Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai in the Northeast Indian state of Manipur to Y. Gulap Singh, a Nata Sankirtana performer, as the fourth of his eight children.^[5] She started learning music and dance at the age of 5 and , later, joined the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) from where she secured a post graduate diploma in Raas. At the Academy, she received training from such notable gurus such as Amudon Sharma, Maisnam Amubi Singh, Khaidem Lokeshor Singh, Kshetritombi Devi, Ngangom Jogendra Singh and Ibopishak Sharma, in Manipuri dance and from Nongmaithem Tomba Singh, Khanda Moina Dan, Ngangom Jogendra Singh and Thokchom Gopal Singh in music (Monoharsai Kirtan).^[1] Her debut performance was when she was 7 years old and has performed on various stages in India and abroad since then.^[5] Her teaching career started at her alma mater where she worked as a member of faculty till her superannuation in 2005. While continuing as a visiting Senior Guru (Guruhan) at the Academy, she worked for the Imphal station of the All India Radio as a Top Grade Artist, reportedly the first female artist from the state to get the top grade.^[1] She also founded a music training institute, YGR, Nat Sankirtana Sheidam Shang.^[5] She is a former member of the selection committee of the Rabindra Bharati University and the Central Dance Audition Board of the Doordarshan, the Indian national television network. Her songs have been compiled in two albums and she has published a book under the name, Basak, on Basak songs.^[6]

• Manipuri dance
• Maisnam Amubi Singh

References