Rewben Mashangva

Rewben Mashangva
Closeup of Rewben Mashangva at Bangalore Literature Festival, 2016
Closeup of Rewben Mashangva at Bangalore Literature Festival, 2016
Background information
Born (1961-06-21) 21 June 1961 (age 63)
Ukhrul, Manipur, India
GenresFolk
OccupationHao music exponent
Instrument(s)Guitar, flute, folk fiddle, harmonica
Years active1985–present
Websiterewben.com

Rewben Mashangva, also Guru Rewben Mashangva (born June 21, 1961),[1] is a folk musician and singer from Manipur, India.[2] He is known for reviving musical tradition of the Tangkhul Naga of Manipur, and use of traditional musical instruments in his songs.[3][4] Influenced by musicians such as Bob Dylan and Bob Marley, Rewben Mashangva has created many Naga tribal folk songs based on blues and ballad rhythms.[3] He is known by different names including, 'Bob Dylan of the Nagas' and[5] 'King of Naga folk blues',[3][6] plus 'Father of Naga folk blues'.[7][8] He received the National Tribal Award 2011-12, for his contribution to the development of tribal music from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.[9] The Government of India honoured him in 2021, with the award of Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award for his rich contribution to art.[10]

Mashangva was featured in the first season of The Dewarists, along with The Raghu Dixit Project.[11]

  1. ^ "Noble endeavour to bring back folk music glory". The Sentinel. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  2. ^ "When folk meets Western - Youngsters listen to masters create music at Shilpgram festival". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. 3 December 2011. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "Naga musician reviving dying folk music". The Sentinel. 4 October 2008. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  4. ^ "North East tribute to Hazarika in Delhi on February 18". The Times of India. 15 February 2012. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  5. ^ "Naga tribes stress unity at harvest fest". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. 26 February 2005. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  6. ^ Sinha, Dipanjan (17 December 2011). "End of a musical journey - Rewben to make melody in final episode of Dewarists". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  7. ^ "'The father of Naga folk blues' wins Northeast Excellence Award for 2009". Siroy.info. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  8. ^ Sengupta, Somini (23 June 2008). "Town in India Rocks (No Use to Wonder Why, Babe)". New York Times. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  9. ^ "Manipur's Guru Rewben Mashangva and Mary Kom receive National Tribal Award in New Delhi". North East Today. 25 March 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  10. ^ "Padma Shri" (PDF). Padma Shri. 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  11. ^ 'The King of Naga Folk Blues' Guru Rewben Mashangva and The Raghu Dixit Project Shine Bright on 'The Dewarists’ song 'Masti Ki Basti' OK North East