Utsho Haobam
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 in Bangladesh, 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 2016), 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 2023, I have been into Manipuri Folk Songs and Music, mostly related to Lai Haraoba type of songs. (click to know more)
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)
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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 student, 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. A few teachers (ojas) were Oja Marjit, Oja Shamu and others.
Eager to learn, I visited the complex and met one of the teachers (oja), Marjit Meishnam, 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 called khutons such as Ri, Ya (some call it Ra too), Rhai, and more.
Due to limited time, I couldn’t continue learning as much as I wanted and had to leave. Thanks to Kaku Radhanath, he bought me a Pena from Manipur just a month after the Lai Haraoba fest in Bangladesh.
Pena Sheihou at Manipur Mirror’s Anniversary Closing Ceremony
Sheihou Credits:-
Teacher: Oja Marjit Meishanam
Lyrics provided by: Shuvodeep Ningthoujam
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Mayamna soiraba kanda ngakpiyu / Please pardon if there is any mistake
My Musical Journey
Education Info.
I am currently pursuing my education under the Cambridge curriculum at IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) level, preparing to completing Year 11 at Haileybury Bhaluka in Bangladesh. Haileybury Bhaluka: Asia’s Finest Premium Co-Curricular Boys’ and Girls’ International British 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 (June 2022). 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 August 2024.
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. Please do not seek for services.
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.
Under Kangleipak Pride is Kangleipak Pride Music as a records holder (label) where the subjected subsidiary will distribute your music to 150+ streaming platforms without a single cost. This service is not yet launched and I am trying to start it as soon as possible.
As an Information Technology Expert: Volunteering
Since March 2021, I have served as the Technology & Digital Marketing Lead (Core Volunteer) 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 through my Information Technology skills.
Any question related to this organization will be answered through the following email address, utsho@hwobangladesh.org. Please visit the respected NGO’s website if you need information on it without my support.