Kshetrimayum Ongbi Thouranisabi Devi

Kshetrimayum Ongbi Thouranisabi Devi (6 November 1934 – 12 May 2026) was an Indian classical dancer and author, who specialised in the Indian classical dance form of Manipuri. She was honoured by the Government of India in 2003 with Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award.

Life and career Kshetrimayum Ongbi Thouranisabi Devi was born on 6 November 1934 at Singjamei Sapam Leikai, a small hamlet in the Indian state of Manipur to Leishangthem Tampha Singh, a polo player and Leishangthem Ongbi Ibetombimacha Devi, a known Nata Sankirtana exponent as their third daughter. She started stage performances at the age of 6, before she underwent any formal training. Later, she trained Ras Leela at Govindaji Nartanalaya (Government of Manipur Dance College) from the age of 10, passing the degrees, visharad and acharya and also trained under gurus such as Maishnam Amubi Singh, Amudon Sharma, H. Tomba, A. Tomba Singh, Lourembam Tombi Devi and R. K. Tomalsana before starting to perform professionally.

Thouranisabi Devi was married to Kshetrimayum Nawang Singh and the couple lived in the Manipuri capital of Imphal.