Ereimang, a Manipuri contemporary folk–experimental band known for its intense fusion of indigenous traditions and heavy soundscapes, will perform outside Manipur for the first time on January 18 at BLR Hubba in Bengaluru.
Introduced as “From Manipur with love – Ereimang,” the performance marks the group’s debut on a national stage.
Formed in 2015, Ereimang blends Manipuri performative traditions with elements of rock, metal and experimental music. Central to its sound is the Pena, the traditional Meitei string instrument, which anchors the band’s compositions in centuries-old cultural memory while cutting sharply through distorted modern textures.
Ereimang remained largely out of the public eye for nearly a decade, choosing not to release music until 2025. According to founder L. Kamal Singh, the decision was deliberate. “Everything was ready ten years ago, but the timing wasn’t right. We knew we would be misunderstood, and some of us were too young. So, we waited,” he said.
The band’s first release, Kwakta Lamjel (The Race at Kwakta), adapted a Meitei folk ballad that reflects on injustice and the fragility of power. Their second track, Heirangkhoi, drew widespread attention, crossing 400,000 views and likes on YouTube. Based on a well-known folk song, it reflects on life’s cyclical nature—loss, fate and remembrance—reimagined through folk-noise rock and metal. This was followed by Ching (The Hill), which portrays hills as silent witnesses to history, conflict and continuity.
Ereimang’s live performances are marked by strong visual and ritual elements. A female vocalist appears in ceremonial white attire with distinctive headgear and a veiled face, while another performer moves in a trance-like manner reminiscent of a Meitei Maibi, translating sound into physical invocation. The band describes its stage presence not as choreography, but as ritual.
The group first performed live at the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival in February 2025, shortly after a prolonged period of unrest in Manipur. The performance was widely noted for its restrained yet powerful expression.
The Bengaluru concert holds particular significance, as Ereimang will share the stage on the same night as former Megadeth lead guitarist Marty Friedman. Percussionist and manager Heisnam Shantanu described the opportunity as both exciting and demanding. “BLR Hubba is a massive cultural space. Stepping into it brings excitement, nervous energy and responsibility,” 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.
