Khangembam Sangita Devi - A Manipuri Singer profile
* Daniel Chabungbam
Name: Khangembam Sangita Devi
Father's name: (Late) Kh. Cheitei Singh
Mother's Name: Khangembam ongbi Ibechaobi Devi
Address: Sega Road Takhellambam Leikai
Date of Birth: Thursday, August 5, xxxx
Zodiac: Scorpio
Qualification: Graduate
First song: Masa naanba pakhang (Yamaha)
First solo album: Eeta Bindiya (1997)
Favourite Song: Nungshiba Khanglamdragabu by Tapta Jayenta
Favourite Singer: Celine Dion
Favourite Film: Avatar
Favourite Colour: Black and Red
Favourite Dress: Casual
Favourite Dish: Chagem Pomba
Favourite actor: Jackie Chan/Angelina Jolie
Ambition: to run a famed musical institute
Khangembam Sangeeta Devi who always accompanied revolutionary singer Tapta Jayenta in every musical concert is the daughter of Jayenta's elder sister. From a very young age, Sangeeta had already performed in front of the public on occasions like song competition, Lai Haraoba, School Functions besides other programs at her locality. She had secured positions in various song competitions. She learned singing from her 'mamma' Jayenta by staying at his residence in Naraseina since her early age.
Sangeeta's father late Kh. Cheitei who was connected to Nat Sankirtan while her grandmother who works in the field of traditional Manipuri songs and dances always encourage Sangeeta in her singing career. In April 1996, Sangeeta secured first position in the All Manipur state level song competition where she sang 'kapliba punshibu hanna yenglamda'. It was a turning point for Sangeeta in her career of music.
With the production of Tapta's first volume of 'The Power of Attraction' Sangeeta got the opportunity to sing 'Masa naanba pakhangse' for the audio album. Then a solo audio album titled 'Ita Bindya' was released in 1997 that had eight songs and the music was composed by Tapta Jayenta. In the same year, Sangeeta sang two songs Honda Black and Ghayal (along with Tapta Jayenta) for 'The Power of Attraction' volume-2.
Later, in 1999 an audio album titled Postman was produced under the banner of MK Cassette production. The album had nine songs including a number from Tapta Jayenta. In the year 2000, an audio solo album that had 10 songs of Sangeeta 'Dreams' which was co-composed with (late) Prabin Raj (guitarist of then Tapta band) was released. But the album could not hit the news-stand due to unrest after the June uprising incident. But this did not dither the spirit of Sangeeta.
First ever solo musical nite 'Sangeeta Live on Stage' was organized at YAC ground, Yaiskul on September 10, 2001. Since then, she is busy with the schedule for musical shows almost in every parts of the state. She always accompanies Tapta Jayenta in musical shows not only in Manipur but also other parts of north east. After a gap of some years on December 27, 2009 an album titled 'Thamoina sao-ee' with three music videos was released along with a musical show 'Sangeeta Live on stage' at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT). And in 2010, audio album 'Wakat' having seven numbers was released which includes duet songs with Tapta Jayenta.
Popular numbers of Sangeeta are
Ø Masa naanba pakhang (Yamaha)
Ø Siramganida (Ghayal)
Ø Thawai oiriba oh eigi postman
Ø Kapliba punshibu hanna yenglamda
Ø Daddy nang nupi koi (Ajnabi) duet song with Jayenta
Ø Honda Black (duet with Tapta Jayenta)
Ø Ngasi Eigi Manglanda
Ø Thamoina sao-ee
Ø Nungshi khangmande
Ø Thangjing Laigi laimangda (with Tapta Jayenta)
Ø Meelal (duet with Tapta Jayenta)
Further Khangembam Sangeeta also sang for three other music videos while she as a playback singer has sung Eigi Nakta Leihanjaning-I for film 'Eerei' and also Khetnaba thamdana along with Suren for the film 'Kanglasha'. And so many assignments are also waiting for Sangeeta for upcoming films. Apart from performing in various parts of the state, Sangeeta has performed in places like Dimapur, Shillong Guwahati, Jiribam, Moreh and parts of Assam where Meiteis resides that includes Hojai, Lanka, Jaribond, Lakhipur Pallarbond, Rongpur, Silchar, Sibbar, Sonai, Kamaranga and also abroad in Bangladesh in May 2003. She was part of the recently held North East tour of Tapta "Chahi Taret Khuntakpa" and performed live at Wapokpi and Karaikandi in Assam and Shillong in April 2013.
Beside her hectic schedule in giving live performances in various places, Khangembam Sangeeta, in her endeavour to fulfill her ambition, is engaged in teaching young music enthusiasts by running a Music Institute named 'Sangeet Siksha Academy' at her home since 2005. Till now more than 30 boys and girls have learnt music from the Institute and among them some have completed their Visarad course. The students have shown their learning on the occasion of the 7th Foundation Day of the Institute at GM Hall.
Apart from learning Hindustani classical music from the academy, students also got the opportunity to learn western music, tabla, guitar and other musical instruments too. Rarely noticed voice culture is also taught to the students by experts. But running an academy is not an easy task but music lover like Sangeeta by bearing all the hardships is rendering her service for the young music enthusiast where they can learn atleast something from her. For those who wish to learn the knowledge of music the door of Sangeet Siksha Academy is open wide to each and everyone.
Khangembam Sangeeta completed Visarad under the guidance of renowned singer Asem Bimola, she completed Nipun in classical music through the Principal of Kha-Manipur Hindustani Sangeet Mahavidayala, Kakching Mr. Sh. Nabakumar Sharma. So, Sangeeta always remember the guidance her teacher had given while overcoming the difficulties in the profession of music. She never forget the wishes from her friends, relatives, fans, supporters, well wishers and her family in fulfilling the desire and their prayers for her success in walking a life of music. But, the recognition Sangeeta receives would not have come alive, but for the introduction and support of her 'mamma' Loukrakpam Jayenta (Tapta) the fusion singer of Manipur. Tapta is the one Sangeeta always consult and pay reverance to know music in her professional career. Since the time she come to know of music, Sangeeta stayed at the maternal home of her mother and learnt music from Tapta.
See a Photo Gallery on Khangembam Sangeeta here