Aribam Syam Sharma, singer-composer, theatre and film personality is better known, outside of his state Manipur, for his epoch making films like Imagi Ningthem and Ishanou. Within his state, he is also identified with the modern music movement of Manipur. The rhythm and lyricism of his films are a legacy of his music.

 

Born in 1936, he had his first music lesson while he was in his primary classes in Johnstone School. He composed his first song Khammu Khammu Mitki Pirang when he was in class IX, in the year 1952. Even during his school days, he felt the need for a new musical idiom. An alternative to the traditional forms of music was sought to express the spirit of a new age.   

 

In his college days in D.M. college of Sciences, he along with his friends like Phulendra, Samarendra, Pahari, Rabindra and Aken, who shared his desire for a new musical form, constituted the Amateur Artiste Association for a collective effort to create new music and drama, and to perform them. It was during this time that he composed the iconic group song Anouba Jugki Anouba Asha Puduna, which exhorts the youth to come forth with new ideas and hopes for a new era. The Amateur Artiste Association performed plays and concerts, on a regular basis at the state level, inter-university competitions. It gained recognition among the younger generations of music lovers in Manipur. Syam Sharma as a singer got invitations from localities and sung in the courtyard of houses called  Shumang’ his new compositions. The pioneers of Manipuri modern song, of which Aribam Syam Sharma is one, had their grounding in this association. This association in retrospect became the forerunner of the Roop Raag, the premier musical association, which brought a new, vibrant movement in the history of music in the state.

 

After his college Aribam Syam went to Santiniketan where he studied Rabindra Sangeet while studying Philosophy. He studied Rabindra Sangeet for four years under the famous exponents Shantidev Ghosh and Konika Banerjee. The music of Tagore in its treatments of varied subjects and themes made him realize the possibilities of the song form. This would become his lasting inspirations from his learning and understanding of the songs of Tagore. He also earned his B.Music in Hindustani Classical Music.

 

After his undergraduate study in 1958 and on the way home he had his first experience in the recording studio. The Guwahati station of A.I.R had recently introduced a slot for Manipuri language. Syam Sharma took this opportunity and after an audition recorded seven songs which he had composed earlier. With this, his long standing association with A.I.R started. A.I.R, Imphal’s establishment in 1963 was to prove an immense help in the modern Manipuri music movement. It gave a platform to its artist and helped popularize this new musical idiom. Aribam Syam Sharma became one of the very first artists to become its approved vocal artists. He composed most of the songs of Roop Raag aired on A.I.R. These songs were in different genres and styles for different occasions and programmes. Feature musicals that he composed for A.I.R, and performed by Roop Raag are Nganbiton, Yairipok Thambalnu, Umangi Punshi, Sandrembi Cheishra. He was instrumental in the popularization of the works of Rabindra Sangeet in Manipuri through the A.I.R. broadcasts. Some of the most important group songs in Manipuri music, mostly patriotic in flavor and composed for radio are: 1) Ho Ema, Poknapham Ema 2) Sana Leibak Manipur 3) Lairabini Hainei 4) Lao Yenglushi Lao 5) Paokhong Ama Change Ngamlabadi Fongu 6) Nuja Shaktam Urubada.  

 

While teaching Philosophy in D.M. College of Arts, he composed and performed extensively. As a singer he recorded the following songs on disc records: 1) Thaja Epal Langlibi 2) Thaja Mabu Pamjaruba 3) Thamoi Pandrabi Kanagi Murtida 4) Ningamdraba Eigi Thamoina 5) Shamu Macha Ama 6) Nungsidaba Natte Nangbu 7) Kanagi Leikolda Shatpino 8) Jwar Karakle 9) Taibang Keithel Karakpada 10) Ningba Thungdraba Eise 11) Kari Laiwa Yaobano.

 

He also composed songs for other solo artists, for duets and groups mainly for Roop Raag. He composed songs to the lyrics of writers M.K. Binodini Devi, B. Jayantakumar, K. Ibochouba for popular singers Chongtham Kamala Devi, Aheibam Buddhachandra, Aheibam Shyam, Khun. Joykumar, Laishram Mema, Arambam Jamuna Devi. His compositions are varied not only in arrangement but shows variety in thematic content. Some of the most popular songs, which were recorded on discs are as follows: 1) Kayam Watli Lamdamdo 2) Unarakta Lotlibi Leirang Nangbu Shathouro 3) Taibang Chinjak Chaduna 4) Ekaithibi Leirangi Mapokni 5) Miraba Khonjelda Nungshiba Surda                  

 

6) Ngamjaroi Ngamjaroi Khangjaba 7) Lakhini Lakhini Nangi Shyamdo 8) Eta Nanga Malika Leikol 9) Sageigi Mouni Khangdabara Shyam 10) Thamoigi Hinao Shaba-o 12) Warouganuko Oinachaobi.

 

Concurrent to this, he also composed songs for films. Some of the films are 1) Manipur’s first feature film, Matamgi Manipur (1972) 2) Lamja Parshuram (1974) 3) Shaphabee (1978) 4) Kombirei 5) Urirei Madhabee (unreleased). Most of the film songs that he composed became very popular. In his involvement in Manipuri theatre, he composed theatre music besides being a director and actor.

 

In the field of devotional music he composed 1) Niti Leela 2) Gosht Leela 3) Goura Bhabhi 4) Nimai Sanyas which are now performed as part of the ritualistic life cycle of the Manipuri Vaishnav. He also composed an epic 30 episodes (about 10 hrs duration) musical, Krishna Leela, for A.I.R.

 

Some other noteworthy and singular contributions in music are his composition of the opening theme song of the 5th National Games held in Imphal titled Ho Pari Sangai Nangbu. He also composed a series of songs recorded under the title Laibak Phabi Kekrupat, as a tribute to the martyrs of the June uprising of 2001. He composed songs on the life of the legendary leader Hijam Irabot. They were released under as the album titled Miyamgi Luchingba Irabot. For the commemoration of A.I.R. Imphal’s 40th anniversary, he composed the opening and closing songs named Nongthang Meira Shadong Oina and He Pukning Tuktharaba Lao Nangbu Sida Lao respectively.

 

For his contributions in the field of Modern Manipuri music he has been conferred, Sangeet Ratna by Manipur Sahitya Parishad and has been made a Fellow of Manipur State Kala Akademi. He has been awarded the N. Pahari Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to Manipuri Modern music. In recognition of his contributions to music, The All Manipur Matam Ishei Kanglup (AMMIK) awarded its lifetime achievement award. Aribam Syam Sharma is also the recipient of Kamal Kumari National Award in the field of Art & Culture.