Ereimang to Debut Out-of-State Show with Bengaluru Performance
Manipuri contemporary folk-experimental band Ereimang is set to perform outside Manipur for the first time, marking a significant milestone in its musical journey. The band will take the stage at BLR Hubba in Bengaluru on January 18, presenting its sound to a national audience under the banner “From Manipur with love, Ereimang.”
Formed in 2015, Ereimang is known for blending indigenous Manipuri performative traditions with elements of rock and metal. At the heart of its music is the Pena, the traditional Meitei string instrument, which grounds the band’s compositions in deep cultural memory while merging with heavy, experimental soundscapes.
Despite being active for nearly a decade, the band largely stayed away from the public spotlight until 2025. Their debut release, Kwakta Lamjel (The Race at Kwakta), reinterprets a Meitei folk ballad dealing with power, injustice and moral decline. Driven by the Pena and grounded male vocals, the track marked Ereimang’s formal entry into the contemporary music scene.
Their follow-up song, Heirangkhoi, gained widespread attention, crossing four lakh views and likes on YouTube. Based on a popular folk narrative reflecting on life, loss and fate, the track reimagines the song through folk-noise rock and metal elements. Another release, Ching (The Hill), portrays hills as silent witnesses to history and continuity, featuring strong, shamanic vocal expressions.
Ereimang’s first live performance took place at the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival in February 2025, amid Manipur’s prolonged unrest. The performance stood out for its intense, ritualistic stage presence, incorporating ceremonial attire, trance-like movements and visuals rooted in Manipuri tradition.
The upcoming Bengaluru performance holds added significance, as Ereimang will share the stage on a night headlined by former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman, placing the band alongside internationally recognised metal acts.
Percussionist and manager Heisnam Shantanu described the opportunity as both thrilling and challenging. “It’s a massive cultural space. Stepping into it brings excitement, nervous energy and responsibility,” he said.
Band founder L. Kamal Singh said the group consciously delayed its public emergence. “Everything was ready years ago, but we knew we could be misunderstood. Some of us were too young, and the timing wasn’t right. So, we waited,” he said.
Ereimang comprises L. Kamal Singh and Gajendra Laipubam on guitars, Kamlesh Khundrakpam on bass, Thoichanba on Pena and male vocals, Heisnam Shantanu on percussion, Nongshaba Okram on drums, Minerva Laipubam on female vocals, and Vandana Wahengbam as performer.
With its Bengaluru debut, Ereimang is poised to introduce Manipuri folk-rooted experimental music to a wider audience, marking a notable moment for Manipur’s contemporary music scene.
