Oinam Chanchan - Nat Sankirtan Singer - A profile

* Daniel Chabungbam

Oinam Chanchan

Name: Oinam Chanchan
Father's Name: (late) Oinam Ibo Singh
Mother's Name: Oinam ongbi Kunjarashi Devi
Address: Thoubal Athokpam Khunou near Arong thong
Date of Birth: Thursday, April 11, 19xx
Qualification: Masters in Arts (Manipuri) from Manipur University (2011)
Professional Qualification: Nipun part 1(equivalent to MA)
Hobbies: reading books, listening to songs of Lata Mangeskar, singing songs
Favourite Singers: Lata Mangeskar, Asha Bhonsle, Sonu Nigam, Suresh Wadkar and Khangembam Gulapi Singh
Favourite Actress: Hema Malini, Seema
Favourite Colour: Green and Sky Blue
Favourite Dish: Chagempomba and Prawn fry

Oinam Chanchan

Albums released:

o Mahaprabhu Hi Lanba (with Khangabok Menjor) 1995
o Nimai Sanyas (Nat) 1999
o Hi Lanba (Nat) 1999
o Canchi Lamhenba (matam eeshei) 2009
o Seishak Tamjaribi Lamyanba Nahakki Nafamda (Irabot Seithaba Eeshei) 2001
o Khudol Volume 1 (songs from Gramophone record) 2002
o Khudol Volume 2 (songs from Gramophone record) 2003
o Khudol (visualize from audio album) 2003
o Tapta Group Volume 2 (matam eeshei) 2005
o Nungshinadringei (matam eeshei) 2005
o Hanna amukta yengbirammu (songs from gramophone records) 2006
o Sivaratri (Laison eeshei) 2006
o Gost (Nat) 2006

Apart from this different music albums that is meant for Manipur Classical dances were released in the year 2006, 2007 and 2011. Oinam Chanchan's songs has been included in more than 70 music albums and also released 5 audio albums on Nat eeshei. She also sang for Manipuri feature films like 'Border Dispute' (solo-2005) and Telanga Mamei (duet-2006). A duet song along with Tapta Jayenta was her first ever duet song.

During 1997 to 2005, she participated in various district and state level song competitions and she never missed to achieve positions in the competition she participated. She has the capability to achieve either first second or third in almost all the competitions. She participated in All India Radio's children programme since 1993 and started participating in Doordarshan Kendra Imphal's children programme from 1994.

Here are some of the awards Chanchan received in various competition

o Third position in Nat eeshei competition organized by Gulapi Nat Sankirtan Academy in 1997
o 1st position in 5th Jan Neta Irabot Song competition (Junior) organized by Manipur State Council All India Students' Federation in 1999
o 2nd position in 1st state level open song competition (Manipuri film songs) organized by Ningombam Ideal Youth Club, Thoubal in 2000
o Awarded the titled 'Surgee Lairembi' by Moral Education Centre Iroishemba in 2002
o Best vocal (under 15 years) in the 1st CYCO award ceremony organized by CYCO Thoubal in 2003.
o 1st position (Manipuri modern song) and 3rd position (Hindi song) Competition in junior section organized by South Eastern Manipur Cultural Organisation Thoubal in 1998
o 1st position (song competition) in Manipur University Inter-College Literary Meet 2010.

Oinam Chanchan

Oinam Chanchan has performed in various occasion at different places of the state. Apart from her performances in the state she performed in Mumbai (2002), Pune (2002), Guwahati (2003 and 2008), Silchar (2003), Hojai (2003), Barak Valley in Assam (2005) and Malugram (Cachar-2010).

She learned songs like Khubak eeshei and songs to be sung in Jhulon and Durga Puja celebrations from (late) Huirongbam Khunjao Singh of Athokpa Makha Leikai. In 1993 she learned various arts to perform in AIR's children programme from Oinam ongbi Nanda Devi. She learnt the basics of Sa re ga ma pa, different styles of singing, voice culture, dialogue and others which an artist should know from Yaikhom Ibochou Singh of Hiyanglam Lai Pangalba since 1993 till date.

Again she went to Elangbam ongbi Sakhi Devi to learn Nimai Sanyas in 1993. Further Chanchan never missed to learnt the art of Hi Lanba from Khangabok Menjor (popularly known as Mapa saba of Hi Lanba) IN 1995. She completed the course from Prathama to Visharad (Class X to BA equivalent) in Hindustani Classical Music from Asem Bimola Devi in 2006.

With the anxiety to learn more in music, Oinam Chanchan shifted towards Shrimayum Nabakumar Sharma (Prinicpal of Kha-Manipur Sangeet Mahavidyalaya Kakching) to complete her Nipun part 1 (equivalent to MA) of Hindustani Classical Music in 2011. The overall credit for her success is to all her teachers, guides, fans and also Dr. Moirangthem Nara Singh. Particularly the biggest credit goes to Yaikhom Ibochou Singh who all the way from her childhood guided in every aspects of life and also to her mother Oinam ongbi Kunjarashi Devi who cares her children with utmost satisfaction to the aim they have.

Her main is to become a playback singer for films besides her wish to become a film artist because Chanchan wants a place in the Manipuri film industry. She likes competing with people from across the nation by participating in national level song competitions but it doesn't comes her way till now so she is waiting for the chance. She aims to serve the people in her profession in music according to the wish of the people in this changing scenario of lifestyle among various people.

Oinam Chanchan

Oinam Chanchan's Message:

One who wishes to become a professional singer must compulsorily know the basic of songs like Sa re ga ma pa. He/she must learn it from a musical expert besides participating in various song competitions. The government should also organize competitions, seminar and discussion at the national and international level where our artist can experience the different methods on music by interacting with other artist from outside the state. Music as a tool to bring a change in the society and as a medium of entertainment, we need to encourage our artist. In order to preserve our rich art and culture, the artist must be given due regards and respect.

See a Photo Gallery on Oinam Chanchan here