page_title: Elam Endira Devi
section_title: Biography
hierarchical_section_title: Elam Endira Devi / Biography
caption_attribution_description: English: Lai Haroaba Manipur festival dance folk dance of manipur
context_page_description: Elam Endira Devi, is an Indian classical dancer and teacher, known for her expertise and scholarship in the classical dance form of Manipuri, especially in the genres of Lai Haraoba and Raas. 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.
context_section_description: 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. Later, she studied under teachers such as R. K. Akesana, Padmashree Maisnam Amubi Singh, 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.
  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.
  Endira Devi has performed in a feature film, Matamgi Manipur, which won the National Film Award for the best film in Meitei, in 1972. She has also performed at many regional, national and international stages. Some of the notable international performances are:
  Solo performance for Doordarshan - 1990
  Solo performance - 150th Birth Anniversary of Viswa Guru Rabindranath Tagore Commemoration - 2011
  Solo performance - 9th Bhagyachandra National Dance Festival of Classical Dance - 2011
  Solo performance - Indo-Soviet Cultural Friendship, Moscow - 1978
  Traditional Dance 'Lai Haraoba' - India Festival, Paris - 1985
  Lai Haraoba Classical Dance - Re-Union Island, France - Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) - 2010
  Solo performance - Lokutshab Festival, New Delhi - 1988
  Endira Devi has also participated in many ballets and dance dramas.
  Endira Devi is married to Haobam Manigopal Singh and the couple has three sons and two daughters.
caption: Lai haraoba.
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