Utsho Haobam: Manipuri Folk Artiste

A photograph taken in Haileybury Bhaluka Academic Building

About me

I am Utsho Haobam, a Bangladeshi Manipuri (Meitei) folk singer, entrepreneur, and cultural artiste dedicated to preserving and sharing the vibrant traditions of Manipur with global audiences. I was born on the 24th of April in Sreemangal, Sylhet, Bangladesh, I grew up immersed in the Manipuri diaspora community, home to more than 15,000 Meitei people in the Sylhet division (not a state). From a young age, I have been into music (from 2019), learning the basics such as sargam and the structure of songs ET Cetera. I have drawn to the depth and beauty of our folk traditions, especially Lai Haraoba related that echoed through our festivals. Well, even though our POV is as a diaspora in Bangladesh, we also do celebrate the same fests which occur in Manipur state of India. From 2024, I have been into Manipuri Folk Songs and Music, such as Lai Haraoba, Khunung, Khulang Et Cetera.

Early life

I was born into a Meitei family belonging to the Khuman clan, with ancestral roots tracing back to Manipur. My childhood was filled with cultural experiences that shaped my identity and fueled my passion for traditional music. Participating in local events, rituals, and celebrations like Lai Haraoba opened my heart to the rhythms and stories of my heritage. It was during these moments that I first felt the calling to dedicate my life to these powerful art forms.

Traditional Folk Instrument (Pena) Enthusiast

As a Manipuri folk artiste, I have a deep feeling with our oldest traditional folk instrument, the Pena. In this photo, I am holding a Pena at the Mangemakhong Manipuri Cultural Complex on the 22nd of March, 2025.

As a passionate Pena enthusiast, I have always wanted to own one. Unfortunately, Penas are not available in Bangladesh and can only be found in Manipur. In 2025, a few teachers from Manipur came to Bangladesh and stayed in Sylhet, at Mangemakhong, where they taught people how to play the Pena and other traditional instruments.

Eager to learn, I visited the complex and met one of the teachers (oja), Marjit Meishanam, a calm and wonderful mentor. On the 21st of March, I sang a few folk songs in front of him while he accompanied me with his Pena. On the 22th of March, he kindly taught me some basics, explaining the different parts of the Pena, like the Cheijing (Epa gi masak), Maru (Ema gi masak), Samei, and others. He also introduced me to a few musical notes such as Ri, Ya, Rhai, and more.

Due to limited time, I couldn't continue learning as much as I wanted and had to leave, but I hope to own a Pena someday soon, perhaps when I visit Manipur!

Education Info.

I am currently pursuing my education under the Cambridge IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) curriculum, preparing to completing Year 11 at Haileybury Bhaluka in Bangladesh. Haileybury Bhaluka: Asia's Finest British Premium Co-Curricular Boys' and Girls' International Boarding School. Alongside Haileybury, I also attended the Royal Institute of Smart Education in Sylhet, where I started my academic journey from Year 2 and gained knowledge up to year 7. These formative years laid the foundation for my education in Summerfield International School when I moved to Dhaka in 2022 and then changing school to Haileybury in 2024.

Musical Journey

My musical path formally began in 2016, when I started learning and performing Bengali songs from Eche (sister) Ashapurna Ashem. She taught me basics of sargam, structure of songs Et Cetera and taught me a few Bengali songs, including teaching me how to play the Harmonium, from where I gained experience. Later from 2024, I began learning Manipuri folk songs myself without any teacher and somehow it's a half success until I visit Manipur and learn folk songs there and bring back a Pena.

Entrepreneurship: Kanglei Webmasters

In 2017, I took a step toward combining creativity and technology by founding Kanglei Webmasters, an IT company based in Imphal, Manipur. Our work focuses on web development and digital services, with a special emphasis on supporting local and regional clients whose projects reflect the spirit of Manipuri identity. This venture has given me the opportunity to use digital tools to promote our culture in innovative ways.

This specific service term ended in February, 2025. and its not longer in operation.

Entrepreneurship: Kangleipak Pride

In 2025, I launched Kangleipak Pride, a cultural initiative designed to organize heritage events, workshops, and collaborations that spotlight the arts of Manipur. This project is an extension of my vision to build a supportive space for artists, performers, and culture lovers who share a passion for our roots.

Social Work and Human Welfare Organization

Since March 2021, I have served as the Software Management and Digital Marketing Manager for the Human Welfare Organization (HWO) in Sylhet, Bangladesh. This role has allowed me to contribute to meaningful projects in areas like social welfare, clean energy, healthcare, and education.

Any question related to this organization will be answered through the following email address, dmm@hwobangladesh.org.

Personal Contact Details

Email: utshohaobam@gmail.com

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