LavernChitwood1: Added Basic Bio V1...

2026-01-12T04:26:51Z

Added Basic Bio V1...

New page

{{short description|Indian classical dancer and teacher (Born: 1958)|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Elam Endira Devi
| image = The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shri Award to Smt. Elam Indira Devi, at a Civil Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 31, 2014.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1954|09|01}}
| birth_place = [[Imphal]], [[Manipur]], [[India]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| restingplace =
| restingplacecoordinates =
| othername =
| occupation = Classical dancer
| yearsactive =
| spouse = Haobam Manigopal Singh
| domesticpartner =
| children = 2 daughters and 3 sons
| parents = Elam Bidhumani Singh<br>Elam Rosomani Devi
| website =
| awards = [[Padma Shri]]
}}
'''Elam Endira Devi''', is an Indian classical dancer and teacher, known for her expertise and scholarship in the classical dance form of [[Manipuri dance|Manipuri]], especially in the genres of ''Lai Haraoba'' and ''Raas''.<ref name="Sunil Kothari Column">{{cite web | url=http://www.narthaki.com/info/gtsk/gtsk32.html | title=Sunil Kothari Column | publisher=Narthaki.com | date=26 November 2011 | access-date=25 August 2014 | author=Sunil Kothari}}</ref> The [[Government of India]] honored her, in 2014, with the [[Padma Shri]], the fourth highest civilian award, for her services to the field of art and culture.<ref name="Padma">{{cite web |url=http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102735 |title=Padma Awards Announced |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |work=Circular |date=25 January 2014 |access-date=23 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302065134/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102735 |archive-date=2 March 2014 }}</ref>

==Biography==
[[File:Lai haraoba.JPG|thumb|240px|right|[[Lai haraoba]].]]
{{quote box|align = right|qalign = center|width=21em|''Imparting training in dances in the form of regular exercise in order to bring up children through acquiring of profound knowledge in our cultural and traditional dances with the moulding of their character, discipline and maintaining their physical fitness.'' '''says Elam Endira Devi'''<ref name="E Pao" />}}

Born on 1 September 1954 to Elam Bidhumani Singh and Elam Rosomani Devi at Khwai Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak, [[Imphal]], in the north east Indian state of [[Manipur]], Elam Indira Devi started learning Manipuri dance at the early age of eight, under the tutelage of Guru Lourembam Amuyaima Singh.<ref name="E Pao">{{cite web | url=http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Profile_of_Manipuri_Personalities.Elam_Indira_Devi_Padmashree_Awardee_in_the_field_of_Dance_A_Profile | title=Elam Indira Devi (Padmashree Awardee in the field of Dance ) A Profile | publisher=E Pao | work=Web article | date=2014 | access-date=23 August 2014 | author=Daniel Chabungbam}}</ref> Later, she studied under teachers such as R. K. Akesana, Padmashree [[Maisnam Amubi Singh]],<ref name="Maisnam">{{cite web | url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195650983.001.0001/acref-9780195650983-e-0268 | title=Maisnam Amubi Singh | publisher=Oxford University Press | date=2011 | access-date=24 August 2014 | ISBN=9780195650983}}</ref> [[Thingbaijam Babu Singh]] and Thiyam Tarunkumar Singh, before joining JN Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal for the Diploma course where she had the opportunity to learn under R. K. Priyogopal Sana, Yumshanbi Maibi, Thambalngou, Ng Kumar Maibi and Haobam Nganbi. She passed the Diploma course of ''Nitya Charya'' in 1967.<ref name="E Pao" />

Simultaneously, she maintained her curricular studies and secured BA and later, MA in Manipuri Culture and Literarture, in 1979, from [[Guwahati University]]. Meanwhile, she continued her studies in dance as well and, with the assistance of ''Young Artist Scholarship'' from the Ministry of Culture, the Government of India, completed post graduate degrees in Raas in 1979, and in [[Lai haraoba]] in 1984.<ref name="Sunil Kothari Column" /><ref name="E Pao" /><ref name="Nritya Rani Upadhi" />

Endira Devi has performed in a feature film, ''Matamgi Manipur'', which won the [[20th National Film Awards|National Film Award]] for the best film in [[Meitei language|Meitei]], in 1972.<ref name="E Pao" /><ref name="Nritya Rani Upadhi" /> She has also performed at many regional, national and international stages.<ref name="E Pao" /> Some of the notable international performances are:
* Solo performance for [[Doordarshan]] - 1990<ref name="E Pao" />
* Solo performance - 150th Birth Anniversary of Viswa Guru Rabindranath Tagore Commemoration - 2011<ref name="E Pao" />
* Solo performance - 9th Bhagyachandra National Dance Festival of Classical Dance - 2011<ref name="E Pao" />
* Solo performance - Indo-Soviet Cultural Friendship, Moscow - 1978<ref name="E Pao" /><ref name="Nritya Rani Upadhi" />
* Traditional Dance 'Lai Haraoba' - India Festival, Paris - 1985<ref name="E Pao" /><ref name="Nritya Rani Upadhi" />
* Lai Haraoba Classical Dance - Re-Union Island, France - Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) - 2010<ref name="E Pao" /><ref name="Nritya Rani Upadhi" />
* Solo performance - Lokutshab Festival, New Delhi - 1988<ref name="Nritya Rani Upadhi" />

Endira Devi has also participated in many ballets and dance dramas.<ref name="E Pao" />

Endira Devi is married to Haobam Manigopal Singh and the couple has three sons and two daughters.

==Meitei Traditional Dance Teaching School and Performing Centre==
In 1993, Endira Devi founded the Meitei Traditional Dance Teaching School and Performing Centre<ref name="MTDTSPC Profile">{{cite web | url=http://www.indiamapped.com/ngo-in-manipur/imphal/meitei-traditional-dance-school-and-teaching-center-20647/ | title=MTDTSPC Profile | publisher=Indi mapped.com | access-date=25 August 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030753/http://www.indiamapped.com/ngo-in-manipur/imphal/meitei-traditional-dance-school-and-teaching-center-20647/ | archive-date=4 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref> at Imphal and is the Director of the Institute ever since.<ref name="Nritya Rani Upadhi" /> The institute a centre for learning classical and traditional dances and ballets<ref name="Kangla Online">{{cite web | url=http://kanglaonline.com/2013/08/two-days-workshop-on-culture-for-peace-held/ | title=Kangla Online | publisher=Kangla Online.com | date=11 August 2013 | access-date=25 August 2014 | archive-date=5 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305044246/http://kanglaonline.com/2013/08/two-days-workshop-on-culture-for-peace-held/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> and is recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.<ref name="MTDTSPC">{{cite web|url=http://indiaculture.nic.in/indiaculture/pdf/Salary_grant_2008-09.pdf |title=MTDTSPC |publisher=Ministry of Culture |access-date=25 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410050143/http://indiaculture.nic.in/indiaculture/pdf/Salary_grant_2008-09.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2009 }}</ref>

==Positions==
Endira Devi has held various noteworthy positions such as:<ref name="E Pao" />
* Member - [[East Zone Cultural Centre]], Kolkata - 2009-12
* Jury Member - Centre for Cultural Resources and Training,<ref name="CCRT">{{cite web | url=http://ccrtindia.gov.in/ | title=Centre for Cultural Resources and Training | publisher=Centre for Cultural Resources and Training | access-date=25 August 2014}}</ref> a [[Government of India]] sponsored autonomous organization for education and culture - 1996-2007
* Member - Audition panel - [[Doordarshan]] Guwahati - 1998-2000
* Member - Official delegation - USSR Folk Festival, Kolkata - 1987

She is a Life Member of the [[UNESCO]] Club Association of India since 2009 and has been serving as an Expert commentator on Manipuri Dance at the [[All India Radio]], Imphal - from 1989 onwards.<ref name="E Pao" /> She has also worked as the guest lecturer for [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] at the Academic Staff College, [[Manipur University]] from 2001 to 2012<ref name="E Pao" /><ref name="Nritya Rani Upadhi" /> and is currently working as the Senior Guru at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy Manipur,<ref name="JN Manipur Dance Academy">{{cite web|url=http://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/jnmda.htm |title=JN Manipur Dance Academy |publisher=Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi |access-date=25 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903100847/http://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/jnmda.htm |archive-date=3 September 2014 }}</ref> Imphal, since 1996.<ref name="Sunil Kothari Column" />

==Awards and recognitions==
* [[Padma Shri]] - [[Government of India]] - 2014<ref>{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=2014-01-25|title=List of Padma awardees|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/list-of-padma-awardees/article5617946.ece|access-date=2021-02-23|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-01-25|title=Padma Awards full list: Narendra Dabholkar, Kamal Haasan, Leander Paes to be honoured|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/padma-awards-full-list-narendra-dabholkar-ruskin-bond-kamal-haasan-leander-paes-to-be-honoured/|access-date=2021-02-23|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>
* Excellence Award - World Theatre Day - Short Play - 1970
* Best Actress Award - All India Drama Festival - 1971
* ''Nritya Rani Upadhi'' - Cultural Dramatic Association, Moirang - 1984<ref name="Nritya Rani Upadhi">{{cite web | url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Arts_and_Culture.Article_Dances_Manipur.Bhagyachandra_National_Festival_of_Classical_Dance_2011_Part_2 | title=Bhagyachandra National Festival of Classical Dance 2011 : Part 2 | publisher=E Pao | date=14 November 2011 | access-date=25 August 2014}}</ref>
* Junior Fellowship - [[Ministry of Culture (India)|Ministry of Culture]] - [[Government of India]] - 1990-92

==Writings==
Elam Endira Devi has published four books on Manipuri dance and culture.
# {{cite book | url=http://www.narthaki.com/info/gtsk/gtsk32.html | title=Lai Haraoba Wakhallon Paring - Series of Thoughts on Lai Haraoba | author=Elam Indira Devi | year=1998}}
# Meitei Jagoigi Chaorakpa Saktam (a glimpse of Manipuri Dance) - 1998<ref name="E Pao" />
# Lai Haraoba Anoi Eeshei - 2001<ref name="E Pao" />
# Lai Haraoba Anoi Warol - 2002<ref name="E Pao" />
# Dances of Lai Haraoba (under publication)<ref name="E Pao" />

Lai Haraoba Wakhallon Paring (Series of thoughts on Lai-haraoba)<ref name="Sunil Kothari Column" /><ref name="Shamanism">{{cite book | title=Shamanism: An Encyclopedia of World Beliefs, Practices, and Culture, Volume 1 | publisher=ANC Clio | author=Mariko Namba Walter, Eva Jane Neumann Fridman | year=2004 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/shamanism00mari/page/1055 1055] | isbn=9781576076453 | url=https://archive.org/details/shamanism00mari/page/1055 }}</ref> won the Gold Medal from ''Naharol Sahitya Premi Samiti'', Imphal in 2002<ref name="Nritya Rani Upadhi" />

She has also presented several papers and delivered many lectures at various seminars and conferences at national and international level.<ref name="E Pao" />

==Manipuri dance gallery==
<gallery>
File:A Manipuri Dancer in traditional Krishna attire.jpg
File:Manipuri.jpg
File:Pung cholom performer, Manipur.jpg
File:Ras Lila.jpg
File:Manipuri Dance.jpg
File:Maharas Purnima.jpg
File:Rasa Lila in Manipuri dance style.jpg
</gallery>

==See also==
{{portal|India}}
* [[Manipuri dance]]
* [[Lai Haraoba]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224032/http://www.endeavorcareers.com/genesis/?p=12777 Padma Award news]
* [http://tse.manipur.us/2011/11/11/sangai-express-news.php%3Fnewsid=10565.html Reference in The Sangai Express]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}
{{Dance in India}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Devi, Elam Endira}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Manipuri dancers]]
[[Category:People from Imphal]]
[[Category:Dancers from Manipur]]
[[Category:Women artists from Manipur]]
[[Category:Artists from Manipur]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dancers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women artists]]
[[Category:Indian female classical dancers]]

Elam Endira Devi - Revision history

LavernChitwood1: Added Basic Bio V1...