Nique Singh Ningthoujam during a show
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Nique Singh Ningthoujam (Pronouns: He/Him) walks in at Domino’s Pizza in Mehdipatnam with quiet pride. Confident, independent, and multi-faceted — the singer and trans man has called Hyderabad home for nearly 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 part

With choreographer fiancé Apooh Mahi
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Nique’s journey from Manipur to Hyderabad began as an academic pursuit — but over time, the city became his canvas for self-discovery. Born Ningthoujam Namrata Devi — lovingly called Nikitha — in the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal, Nique was just six when he first found his voice. “Subah se shaam tak hamaare ghar mein gaana bajaana chalta tha,” he recalls. “Music played from morning till night at home.”

Recognising his talent early on, guru Huidrom Nowboy offered to train him in semi-classical Hindustani music for four years — without charge. After the family moved to Awang Sekmai Awang Leikai, Nique, then still known as Namrata, became the youngest to take the stage at local musical shows. Music offered solace, but didn’t silence the growing dissonance he felt within. “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 way to Hyderabad alone, determined to carve out a future on his own terms The next five years unfolded in a blur of grit and growth — pursuing a degree at St. Ann’s College, Mehdipatnam, teaching guitar to neighbourhood kids to fund his education, and representing his state in judo and kho kho at the national level. He even reached the audition rounds of India’s Got Talent and Indian Idol in 2018, while fronting the now-defunct all-girl city band, Pretty Coats.

But beneath the achievements simmered an inner turmoil, a deep need to confront questions around gender and identity. “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 help of a fellow queer friend, Nique found access to an endocrinologist and underwent psychological evaluation. In 2019, he transitioned, marking the beginning of a more authentic 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, however, came with a cost — particularly 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 had 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 show
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Today, Nique channels his passion through multiple creative outlets, performing Hindi and Telugu covers in pop and rock styles, while effortlessly switching between guitar, keyboard, tabla and drums. He’s also the founder of the NNN Project, a music collective that nurtures emerging talent and builds space 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 building community through connection, collaboration, and creativity. The two are now gearing up to launch their first Hindi original, Tere Mere Baare Mein.

Hyderabad, he says, remains at the heart of it all. “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 one day sing to a sea of people. “A free concert. Lakhs of music lovers. That’s all I want.”