Gambhari Devi

Gambhari Devi (1922 – 8 January 2013) was a veteran Indian folk singer, folklorist and dancer from Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh,[1] noted for her contribution to the folk culture of Himachal Pradesh.[2]

Gambhari Devi
Born1922
OriginBilaspur, (A place which later on her name called Gambher pool) Himachal Pradesh, India
Died8 January 2013
Occupation(s)Folk Musician, Folk Dancer and Folk Entertainer

She was awarded the Tagore Akademi Award (Tagore Akademi Puruskar) by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama in 2011, given to 100 artists from across India to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, for her contribution in the field of performing arts.[3][4] In 2001 she received award from Himachal Academy of Arts. She died on 8 January 2013 at the age of 91.[5]

Life experiences

She was born in Bandla village of Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh in 1922. She started performing at the age of 8. She married at an early age like the other girls of the village which normally would have debarred her from singing and dancing. However, she persisted in folk performance despite the stigma attached to it.

Her life

Such was her talent that society slowly forgot her social stigma and started inviting her to perform on various occasions. She eventually became so popular that no function could be complete without her performance. Such was her impact that she came to be seen as an idol of romance. People started gathering from far away places for her performances and the same locality considered marriage ceremonies unceremonious without her performance and attendance. She was considered a matinee idol of her time. She was accompanied by a drummer and a wrestler (Pistu urf Basanta Pehlwaan) who also become a legend along with Devi. This couple, never legally married, faced a great deal of hostility from conservative society. They could enjoy her performances but could not accept her liberal behaviour. Devi later sacrificed her love and on request of Devi herself, Basanta Pehlwaan later married another woman.

She continued performing till her later ages. She was not feeling well though and she discontinued performing because of her health issues in last few months of her life.

Awards

She won several hearts through her extraordinary boldness, singing and dancing traits.

  • She received Tagore Akademi Award (Tagore Akademi Puruskar) by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2011.
  • Achievement Award from HImachal Academy of Arts in 2001.

References
  1. "London Olympics silver medallist Vijay Kumar conferred Rs 1 crore and Himachal Gaurav Award". Economic Times. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  2. Ashoka Jerath (1995). The Splendour of Himalayan Art and Culture. Indus Publishing. pp. 151–. ISBN 978-81-7387-034-7.
  3. "Sangeet Natak Akademi Ratna and Akademi Puraskar". Sangeet Natak Akademi. 2011. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014. .. a one-time honour of Tagore Samman to be awarded to 100 persons of the age of 75 years and above who have made significant contribution in the field of performing arts.
  4. "List of recipients of Tagore Akademi Puraskar" (PDF). Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  5. "Folk singer Gambhari Devi passes away, लोक गायिका गंभरी देवी का निधन" (in Hindi). Amar Ujala. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  • The Splendour of Himalayan Art and Culture By Aśoka Jerath [1]
  1. Jeratha, A. (1995). The Splendour of Himalayan Art and Culture. Indus Publishing Company. p. 151. ISBN 9788173870347. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
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