K. C. Runremsangi – Queen of Mizo Folk Song

K. C. Runremsangi is an Indian folk singer from the state of Mizoram, known as “Queen of Mizo Folk Song”. She has significantly contributed to preserving and promoting India’s rich folk music heritage, and has been honoured with numerous honours including Padma Shri in 2023 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2017. Her journey from local church to Padma Shri is incredible. Initially worked with AIR Mizoram in her 20s, she released over 50 recordings till now.

K. C. Runremsangi started singing in a local church at the age of 12

Runremsangi belongs to a poor farmer family of 8 children. She was born as the 5^th child on 1 March 1963 in a remote Keitum village in Serchhip district, located around 120 kilometres from Aizawl. Since childhood she loved singing, and she started singing in a local church at the age of 12, which gave her happiness and a divine connection. Started singing at the age of 3, she also sang at local functions and weddings. People would suggest her to take music as profession.

To pursue her passion, she shifted to Aizawl at the age of 20

She enrolled at the Institute of Music and Fine Arts and released her first audio album of Mizo folk songs in 1986 at the age of 23. 1986 marked to be the turning point in her career as she registered as a ‘B grade’ empanelled artist in All India Radio. She sang over fifty Mizo songs in genres including folk and gospel for AIR. In 1992 she got a government job and went to work for the Art & Culture department of the state of Mizoram. People started inviting her to cultural events and very soon she became a known face in Mizoram folk songs circuit. 

She got married at the age of 40

She got married to Lalthanmawia, a government school teacher in 2003. He has been supportive towards her career and they together have trained over 100 students. Even in her hectic work schedule, she finds time for herself and her singing rehearsals. The couple has one daughter, who was 18 when her mom received the prestigious Padma award.

More than 50 recordings to Runremsangi’s credit

She released her first audio album of Mizo folk songs in 1986, and by the time she received Padma Awards in 2023, she owns more than 50 recordings to her credit. She has released eight albums of 90 Mizo songs so far. 

K. C. Runremsangi – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. Since her younger age, she used to teach students for free. She wanted to promote and preserve folk music. It was a time when her cultural songs were not very popular, but slowly people started listening them.

2. She is the only Mizo woman to be conferred with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, in 2017.

3. During her growing years, her father supported her a lot in singing. He was a pasaltha, a brave warrior or hero in Mizo culture, who used to hunt, and the family celebrated events by dancing and drinking. Young Runremsangi used to sing during such occasions.