Hira Devi Waiba (1940-2011) was an Indian folk singer, who started the trend of recording and popularizing Nepali folk songs, especially Eastern Nepali and Tamang Selo folk songs. She earned the title ‘Lok Geet Samragi’ (Queen of Nepali Folk Songs). Hira Devi died on 19 January 2011.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Hira Devi Waiba was born on Monday, 9 September 1940 (age 70 years; at the time of death) in Kurseong’s Ambootia village, Darjeeling, Bengal Presidency, British India (now in West Bengal, India). Her zodiac sign is Virgo. She grew up in a Nepali family that inherited Nepali folk singing from generations. Her father trained her to sing since her childhood years.
Late Hira Devi Waiba (left) in her teenage
She pursued a B. A. at Government College, Darjeeling, and earned a bachelor’s in teaching from Shree Ramakrishna B. T. College, Darjeeling.
Late Hira Devi Waiba (2nd from right) during her college days
She pursued professional singing just after recording the first-ever Nepali songs for All India Radio that went viral.
Late Hira Devi Waiba singing in a Nepali cultural programme
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 2″
Hair Colour: Copper Brown
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Hira Devi Waiba belonged to a Nepali family in the Ambootia Tea Estate in Kurseong; the family has its roots in Palpa, Nepal. She comes from the Tamang ethnicity of Nepal.
Late Hira Devi in a Tamang dress
Parents & Siblings
Hira Devi Waiba’s father’s name is Singh Man Singh Waiba, and her mother’s name is Tshering Dolma.
Late Hira Devi Waiba (right) with her mother, late Tshering Dolma Waiba
Husband & Children
Hira Devi married Ratal Lal Aditya. The couple gave birth to 2 children.
Late Hira Devi Waiba with husband, Ratan Lal Aditya
Her elder daughter, Navneet Aditya Waiba, is a famous Nepali folk singer.
Late Hira Devi Waiba with her daughter, Navneet Aditya Waiba
Her son, Satya Aditya Waiba, is a producer and manager of Nepali folk music.
Late Hira Devi Waiba with son, Satya Aditya Waiba
Religion
Hira Devi Waiba practised Buddhism.
Hira Devi Waiba pictured in a monastery with Buddhist monks
Career
Singer/Musician
In 1966, Hira Devi Waiba recorded 3 songs for Radio Nepal in Kurseong, officially kickstarting her career as a Nepali folk singer. She was an active professional singer from 1974 to 2011, who sang more than 300 songs.
Late Hira Devi Waiba recording at a Radio Nepal studio
With her song ‘Chura ta Hoina Astura,’ she became the first to have recorded a Tamang Selo (a Nepali folk song genre) song. Before this song, only compilations and remastered songs were released in Nepal. She was also the first whose album was recorded and released in Nepal by the country’s leading music company ‘Music Nepal.’
Hira Devi Waiba performing live
Awards and Honours
- Mitrasen Purashkar by Nepali Akademi of Darjeeling (1986)
- Mitrasen Smriti Puraskar by the Sikkim government (1996)
- Agam Singh Giri Puraskar (2001)
- Madhurima PhulKumari Mahato Award
Hira Devi Waiba receiving the Madhurima Phul Kumari Mahato Award
- Gorkha Saheed Sewa Samiti’s Lifetime Achievement Award
- Sadhana Samman
- Gorkha Dakshina Bahu (Knighthood of Nepal)
Death
On 18 January 2011, Hira Devi Wahiba faced a fire accident at her home. She was hospitalized at the North Bengal Medical College Hospital. After suffering from various burn injuries, she died on 19 January 2011.
Facts/Trivia
- Hira Devi Waiba was also an announcer at All India Radio. She worked there for 2 years from 1963 to 1965.
- Hira Devi Waiba was also a writer.
- She never went out without her high heels.
- Hira Devi Waiba was fond of plants.
Facebook post of Hira Devi Waiba’s daughter about her fondness for plants
- In 2008, she established the SM Waiba International Music and Dance Academy at her home in Kadamtala, near Siliguri, in memory of her father.
- As a tribute to her, a folk music album, ‘Ama Lai Shraddhanjali -Tribute to Mother,’ was released by her children. In this, her daughter re-recorded all the hit singles of Hira Devi, while her son produced and managed the release.
- She is the only Nepali folk singer to have cut albums with HMV in 1974 and 1978.
