Nique Singh Ningthoujam (Pronouns: He/Him) walks in at Domino’s Pizza in Mehdipatnam with quiet delight. Confident, unbiased, and multi-faceted — the singer and trans man has known as Hyderabad home for practically a decade. “Hyderabad has stood by me like a good friend,” says the 27-year-old. “It has helped me become who I am. I’m respected here as an artist, and as myself.”
Music, an integral half
With choreographer fiancé Apooh Mahi
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Nique’s journey from Manipur to Hyderabad started as a tutorial pursuit — however over time, the town grew to become his canvas for self-discovery. Born Ningthoujam Namrata Devi — lovingly known as Nikitha — in the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal, Nique was simply six when he first discovered his voice. “Subah se shaam tak hamaare ghar mein gaana bajaana chalta tha,” he remembers. “Music played from morning till night at home.”
Recognising his expertise early on, guru Huidrom Nowboy supplied to coach him in semi-classical Hindustani music for 4 years — with out cost. After the household moved to Awang Sekmai Awang Leikai, Nique, then nonetheless often called Namrata, grew to become the youngest to take the stage at native musical reveals. Music supplied solace, however didn’t silence the rising dissonance he felt inside. “There was a deep discomfort in wearing girls’ clothes,” he shares. “But I didn’t have the words, or the space, to express it.”
Shift to Hyderabad
Nique Singh Ningthoujam
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
In 2014, Nique made his strategy to Hyderabad alone, decided to carve out a future on his personal phrases The subsequent 5 years unfolded in a blur of grit and development — pursuing a level at St. Ann’s College, Mehdipatnam, instructing guitar to neighbourhood youngsters to fund his schooling, and representing his state in judo and kho kho at the nationwide degree. He even reached the audition rounds of India’s Got Talent and Indian Idol in 2018, whereas fronting the now-defunct all-girl metropolis band, Pretty Coats.
But beneath the achievements simmered an inside turmoil, a deep must confront questions round gender and id. “After the music show auditions, I realised I couldn’t keep living a lie,” says Nique. “In my mind, I was a man trapped in a woman’s body. I needed to be financially independent — maybe even travel abroad for surgery someday.”
With the assistance of a fellow queer buddy, Nique discovered entry to an endocrinologist and underwent psychological analysis. In 2019, he transitioned, marking the start of a extra genuine chapter. “As Namrata, I had 10 fan pages online. Some were shocked, some upset, but I also found new friendships and a deeper sense of self.”
The transition, nonetheless, got here with a value — significantly to his voice. “Hormone therapy changed everything. My vocals broke. I couldn’t sing or speak properly. I felt like I was losing myself,” he shares. Nique needed to relearn his relationship with music from scratch. “Singing in a male voice felt alien; it left me confused and sometimes, really low. I would call musician friends just to ask what scale I should sing ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’ in.”
Different endeavours
Nique and Apooh Mahi pose after a present
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Today, Nique channels his ardour via a number of artistic shops, performing Hindi and Telugu covers in pop and rock kinds, whereas effortlessly switching between guitar, keyboard, tabla and drums. He’s additionally the founding father of the NNN Project, a music collective that nurtures rising expertise and builds area for experimentation and expression.
Alongside his choreographer fiancé Apooh Mahi (Pronouns: Ze/Zir), Nique co-leads ApNiEntertainment — a proudly inclusive, artist-driven initiative aimed at constructing neighborhood via connection, collaboration, and creativity. The two are actually gearing as much as launch their first Hindi unique, Tere Mere Baare Mein.
Hyderabad, he says, stays at the guts of all of it. “This city gave me a sense of belonging. During my lowest moments, it wasn’t my parents I turned to — it was my friends here.” His dream? To at some point sing to a sea of individuals. “A free concert. Lakhs of music lovers. That’s all I want.”
Published – June 19, 2025 11:42 am IST
