Guru Maisnam Amubi
- A living inspiration -

By Okram Ongbi Maisnam Sheema Devi *

Manipuri dance is well known and very famous throughout the country and aboard. In the context of Manipur dance, Guru Padmashri Maisnam Amubi Sing's credit and his tremendous contribution to Manipuri dance is inspirable, remarkable and unforgetable forever.

For us, he left much tressure of Manipuri dance of which Manipuri dance in future generation could enjoy its full swing. Guru Amubi was born in 1818 in the heart of Imphal city (now the Imphal Municipality build).

His father Col Major Maisnam Samu (younger brother of Maharani Kumudini) was a senior Army Officer in the regime of Maharaja Chandrakirti and was also the Hanjaba of Pung-Palla.

And his mother Sanachaubi (the great grand daughter of Rajhree Bheigyachandra) from her early age performed in many dance and music and she even become the Sutradhari of Raas. Thus, Guru Amubi was brought up in such an environment of dance and music with the help of his artistic parents.

He was hardly six years old when he played the role of Krishna in Manipuri Raas. He participated at the Nipa-Palla of Goura-Lilla, played pung (Mridan) for many Khubak-Eshei of girls. He performed the leading role in Ghosta-Lilla and played the role of Mahaprabhu.

After his father Col Major Samu was exiled by the British Govt to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a series of tragedy came to his life. But he never gave up.

Despite so many hardship he had to face each day, his curiosity to learn more and more about the dance and music was endless, with his strong determination, he learnt the traditional dance and music from the following Gurus:-

1. Konsam Oja Chura,
2. Phurailatpam Oja Chaonu,
3. Ningthoukhongjam Oja Chaomacha,
4. Maibam Oja Keipha,
5. Laishram Oja Mangoljao and
6. Oja Jullonmacha.

Thus, with the help of the Guru and hard work, at last he could become an eminent Guru of Manipuri dance.

Having had the opportunities to show his performance at Sana Konung (Palace) and many Place, Guru Amubi was well remarked by the Raja, the nobles and the people. He showed his works like Basanta Raas, Nitya Raas and other various dance at the Palace.

Now Guru Amubi's name was spread throughout Manipur and outside State. Maharaja Churchand kindly appointed him as the leader and Guru of Manipuri dance for spreading the fragrance of Manipuri dance to many centres of India. During his missionary period, Guru Amubi met Udai Sanker at Bombay (now Mumbai).

At the request of Udai Sanker and his wife Uma Sanker, Guru Amubi taught Manipuri Dance at the Institute (Little Ballet Troupe) founded by Udai Sanker at Almora. He stayed there for seven years as dance Guru. After the World War II, Guru Amubi served as a Manipuri Dance Guru in Sangit Bharti for few years in New Delhi where he met India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

For a great need of a dance College in Manipur, as advised by the Prime Minister J Nehru, a dance college was established at Johnstone School in 1954. After the construction of the building for Dance College was completed at DM College Campus, the Dance College was shifted to the new building and renamed as Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy.

And Guru Amubi was appointed as the surpervisor of the Academy. The team work of Guru Amubi, Guru Haobam Atomba and Guru Amudan Sharma gave much contribution to promote the standard and quality of the Academy. These three prominent Gurus together worked hard to bring up the Manipuri Dance in the form of stage presentation. Their remarkable achievements are still remembered.

Guru Amubi worked at the Academy for fifteen years. In 1969, he was retired from the Jawaharlal Dance Academy. Guru Amubi's guide and attention were needed yet by the Academy. Hence, even after retirement, he paid an often visit.

Guru Amubi was a man of personality and principles, who could speak Hindi and Bengali fluently. He also knew English and Sanskrit. For his remarkable works in promoting the Manipuri Dance and Music, he was awarded with 'Nritya Guru' Award in 1954 by the Manipuri Sahitya Parishas, Bharat Rastrapati Award in 1956 and Padmashree Awarded in 1970.

Guru Amubi published many books of dance and music namely-

• Challi,
• Vanghi Pareng Achouba,
• Vanghi Pareng,
• songs of four raas etc.

Besides, he composed the classical dances like Geet Govinda of Shri Jayadeva Shri Krishna Valya Leela, Neela Kamala Dala Shyam and various solo dance of both classical and folk.

In 1963 Guru Maisnam Amubi founded Manipuri Jagoi Marup, a Manipuri Dance Performing troupe of India. The dedicated artistes of this troupe of India.

This troupe, won great fame in India and abroad for its fine performances of traditional, folk and classical dance of Manipur. Since its establishment, the troupe has given more than 5000 (five thousand) shows all over the country and performed at Iran, Japan (nine times), Bhutan, Taiwan, Hongkong, Rangoon, Veitnam, Laos, Malyasia, Macca, Thailand, Israel, U.S.A, Dubai, Ausralia. Russia and New Zealand on special invitations.

Since all the countries of the world do recognise and love to see the dance of Manipuri Jagoi Marup, several special invitations are being received till today.

On June, 29, 1972, Guru Amubi passed away for his heavenly abode but he still remains to be a living inspiration.

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* Okram Ongbi Maisnam Sheema Devi wrote this article for The Sangai Express . This article was webcasted on August 26, 2008.

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