Letting her voice define her, not her disability

Akangchila Longchar
Dimapur | April 26  

This little girl’s voice is absolutely stunning and she brings tears to the eyes of many when she sings. With an angelic voice, her determination to win hearts is undeniable and her story is truly an inspiration.  

Nine year old Katibenla Kichu from Khensa Village under Mokokchung district is one among the many singing sensations of Nagaland. But her story is unique from the rest. She suffers from locomotor disability (having limited movement of body parts). But she never let her disability limit her and has earned respect and admiration from her family, friends and hometown.  

She was conferred the Best Creative Child with Disabilities Award at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on December 3 during the World Disability Day 2015. “I feel really honored and blessed receiving the award and praise God for uplifting me,” she says.  

Katibenla’s father, Rongsennungba, who works as a Government teacher is the pillar of support behind her success. After discovering his daughter’s gift in music, when she was 4 years old, he taught her to sing. He is also the composer of most of the songs and poems which Katibenla performs. “My father still writes all of my songs and poems,” says the singer with pride.  

Born with a disability, it was a challenging life for this young singer. “People often told me that I couldn’t do anything because of my disability. This discouraged me but I decided to put my trust unto God and sing my heart out every time,” she says. And it is this conviction with which she sings that when she takes the stage there is never a dry eye in the room.  

Katibenla lists Crystal Lane as her favourite singer and shares it is her dream to sing on world stage. She has already performed in several major cities in India, saying that her favourite performance was in Bangalore at St Joseph College’s “Samerthya Fest”. “I like the place and there were lots of people. It has been one of my most memorable performances,” she adds.  

All of nine years old, when she is on stage she feels overwhelmed and more determined to sing, adding “The happiness is of a different kind when I’m up there”. She also has a wish to have the chance to be trained by professionals. Presently, she practices with her father and four other musicians who play the instrumentals for her. She expressed gratefulness to her family and friends for believing in her, “I have faith that God won’t leave them unblessed for helping a person like me”.  

Katibenla wants society to live with the same positive outlook she has on life. She states, “I want others to understand that people like me are not disabled but are specially-abled people. We are unique and need encouragement.”

 This brave little girl says that her purpose is to achieve every goal thought impossible for a person with disability. “I will continue to sing. My vision is to bring people to God through my singing.”  

She also leaves a message for young Naga boys and girls: “Nothing is impossible if only you are determined enough and also look to God for guidance. Please remember me in your prayers and also for other differently-abled people like me.”  

Katibenla’s first album was titled “Ku Salang”. She is currently working on her second album in the hopes of touching the hearts of millions.  

Her confidence to excel and follow her dreams despite the challenges and difficulties she encounters should be an inspiration to all of us. Katibenla Kichu is a living proof that anyone with or without disability can follow their dreams and shine.