Hira Devi Waiba was an Indian folk singer in the Nepali-language from Darjeeling, India and is hailed as the pioneer of Nepali folk songs. Her song 'Chura ta Hoina Astura' is said to be the first Tamang Selo ever recorded. Hira Devi Waiba is the only Nepali folk singer to have cut albums with HMV, Kolkata. She was the sole Grade A Nepali Folk Singer with All India Radio.
Life and music
Hira Devi Waiba came from a family of musicians from Ambootia Tea Estate near Kurseong and was one in the line of a long generation of Nepali folk singers and musicians. She was born to parents Singh Man Singh Waiba and Tshering Dolma. She has sung nearly 300 folk songs during her musical career spanning 40 years. Her singing career began when she recorded three songs in Kurseong for Radio Nepal in 1966. She worked as an announcer at the All IndiaRadio station in Kurseong from 1963 to 1965. Waiba's popular songs include Phariya Lyaaidiyechan,Ora Daudi Jaandaand Ramri tah Ramri. As a tribute to her father, Waiba had opened the SM Waiba International Music and Dance Academy at her home in Kadamtala, near Siliguri in 2008. Hira Waiba died on 19 January 2011 at the age of 71 years after suffering burn injuries in a fire accident at her home. She is survived by two children Navneet Aditya Waiba and Satya Waiba.
Daughter and son tribute
As a tribute to the Legend Hira Devi Waiba, her children Satya Waiba and Navneet Aditya Waiba re-recorded and released some of her hit singles in 2016-2017. Navneet sang and Satya looked after the production and management of the project 'Ama Lai Shraddhanjali -Tribute to Mother', hence moving the legacy further.
Awards
Hira Devi was awarded the Mitrasen Purashkar by the Nepali Akademi of Darjeeling in 1986, the Mitrasen Smriti Puraskar by the Sikkim government in 1996, the Agam Singh Giri Puraskar in 2001 and the Gorkha Saheed Sewa Samiti’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The Nepal government had awarded her the Gorkha Dakshina Bahu, Sadhana Samman and the Madhurima Phul Kumari Mahato Award.
