Naina Devi Biography 
Naina Devi also known as Naina Ripjit Singh, was a vocalist of Hindustani classical music. She was a versatile singer of thumri (light music), dadra and ghazals being the next popular choices. She was the granddaughter of famous Bengali social reformer and founder of "Brahmo Samaj of India", Keshab Chandra Sen. In 1974, she was awarded the Padma Shri for her contributions to Indian classical music.
Naina Devi was born as Nilina Sen, in an aristocratic Bengali family in Kolkata on September 27, 1917 as the youngest of her four siblings. Her parents are Saral Chandra Sen, a barrister and Nirmala. She first got interested in music, when her uncle, Panchu took her to a concert at a local theatre. After that she went to listen to Agurbala at her home in Masjid Bari Street. She initiated learning classical music under Girija Shankar Chakravarty of khayal tradition under whom, she learnt for 9 years. At the age of 16, she got married to Ripjit Singh, a member of the royal family of princely Kapurthala State. She moved to Punjab after marriage and was not allowed to sing. She became widow at a younger age of 32.
After the death of husband in 1949, she moved to Delhi, where she spent the rest of her life. During this time, she acquainted with Sumitra Charat Ram, an arts patron and his wife and she revised her singing career. Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra was established in 1952 and Naina became its artistic director. She also served as a music producer of All India Radio, Delhi, and producer with Doordarshan TV channel. She started her music training once again under Ustad Mushtaq Hussain Khan of Rampur-Sahaswan gharana and Rasoolan Bai of Benaras gharana. Among her disciples, Shubha Mudgal and Vidya Rao are most famous.
Published: N/A
Updated: December 25, 2013
