Laishram Mema-The ningtingale of the nort-east

IMPHAL, May 22: Renowned for her voice and referred to as the Nightingale of the North East by many, Manipuri singer Laishram Mema had to face several opposition when she started out as a singer. Born a year after India got her independence from the British, on December 22, 1948, Laishram Mema Devi started her musical career at the young age of six alongwith her elder sister Asem Bimla Devi.

She joined the Bhatkhande Sangjit Vidyapith, Lucknow in 1960 and passed the Nritya Visharad (Kathak) in first class, second in 1966.

She is at present a Sugam Sangit artiste and a B High grade in classical vocal.

Laishram Mema was born to (L) Asem Brajabidhu Singh at Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai, Imphal.

Soon after her marriage to Laishram Bidyapati Singh of Hailakandi Assam in 1968, she moved to Assam.

Her husband’s family was quite supportive of her choice of profession in the early period of their marriage, but later turned against her singing after their neighbours started to taunt them.

However, she did not lose faith in her singing and continued to stealthily practice singing at night after all the household chores were completed.

Her husband who was supportive of her singing the whole time decided to take her back to Manipur so that she could continue her career in singing.

She returned to Imphal alongwith her husband in 1973 and started living on rent at Palace compound.

Some years after her return to the state she opened her first institute called the Cultural Training Institute at Babupara.

She shifted to Mumbai then Bombay in 1995 and has been living there till date.

Speaking to a group of media persons today at her parental home at Yaiskul Hiruhanba, the singer said even though she cannot sing Manipuri songs regularly, she tries singing Manipuri classical songs at most concerts that she attends.
On the ban on the hindi songs and films in the state, the renowned singer said the ban has helped in promoting the local language, however it has negatively affected the singers of the state when they come out of the state for performing.