Manipur’s top Rock star driven by social issues

With the changing pace of time, Manipur which was once influenced by Hindustani music, is now almost adapted to Western music.

However, the local singers started composing and singing their own style of rock music in traditional language rather than imitating and singing cover songs.

Uttam is a 30 year-old vocal star who composes and presents songs based on present social issues that reflect the prevailing scenario of Manipur. He started his music career as a 12 year-old inspired by his family members who are traditional music artists.

He is now the only popular local rock star of Manipur. His presentation style is based on traditional folk tune though adopted to Western style of music composition.

Uttam said, “its long time back, I started singing when I was 12-13 years old. Actually all our family members are artists. My mother is a traditional singer and my sister is an artist. So they inspired me a lot when I was a child.”

In Manipur, these days his style of music is admired by the young as well as the old. He has been singing songs highlighting the issues of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 and child abuse and other social issues.

One of his popular songs is based on Lungningla Elizabeth, an 8 year-old school-going girl who was kidnapped and murdered in a ransom-related case by a gang few years back. The singer says that he wanted to give a message through his songs and inform people on peace and harmony.

Uttam said “My message is on socially current issues. I just want to express what I feel in my heart through music and through my songs.”

Interestingly, unlike other singers, most of his songs are composed and sung by himself. He has now joined the popular Manipuri digital films. However, he has expressed his desire to be known as a singer rather than a film star.

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