Naina Devi – Famous Thumri singer

Naina Devi (1917-1993) was a Hindustani vocalist best known for her Thumri renditions. She also performed dadra, chaiti and ghazals. She studied Hindustani vocals in both Rampur-Sahaswan and Benaras tradition. She was married into the royal family of Kapurthala State, and started her musical journey at the age of 32 after her husband’s death. She was a recipient of Padma Shri in 1974 and many other honours. She was a music producer of All India Radio and Doordarshan, both at Delhi. She published a biography titled Mushtaq Hussain Khan in 1964 and also Thumri, Its Development and Gayeki in 1985.

Naina Devi

Naina Devi was born in Kolkata. She was born to social reformer Keshab Chandra Sen’s son Saral Chandra Sen, and famous dancer & actress Sadhana Bose was her elder sister. Born into an aristocratic family, she and two of her aunts were married to royal families. Her sister Sadhana Bose was married to film director Madhu Bose, son of famous geologist and palaeontologist Pramatha Nath Bose. Once her uncle took her to a local theatre for a concert and she got drawn towards the world of music.

Later she took musical lessons under Girija Shankar Chakravarty, Mushtaq Hussain Khan and Rasoolan Bai. At the age of 16 she got married to Ripjit Singh, a member of royal family of Kapurthala State, and as per traditions she was not allowed to sing. After the death of her husband, she moved to Delhi where she lived the rest of her life and also started her singing career. Her meeting with Sumitra Charan Das and his wife helped her to revise her singing career. She also taught numerous students.

Naina Devi – Some interesting facts

During her younger days

1. When Naina Devi got married to a royal family of Punjab at the age of 16, she was not allowed to sing, even for pleasure.

2. She took the name Rani Nina Ripjit Singh after marriage.

3. She served as the artistic director of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra while at Delhi.

4. Despite being a successful dancer and actress, her sister Naina Devi lived in penury and even begged on streets during her last days in 1950s.

5. Subha Mudgal and Vidya Rao are among her famous students.