Manipuri folk singer Goshe Meitei no more
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 15 2025: Veteran Manipuri folk singer Thongam Goshe Meitei passed away in the wee hours of April 14 at RIMS hospital due to health complications.

He was 75 .

Goshe Meitei was born to late Thongam Achou and Thongam Kamla of Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak on March 1, 1950 .

He started learning folk music while studying in class VII under noted folk artiste Ibeni Devi of Kwakeithel Haorakchambi in 1961 .

Till the year 1970, Goshe learnt folk music from notable folk artistes like Khongnang of Wangoo, Thopi, Joykumar and Uyan Ibomcha.

He started giving public performance from his school days and later performed at various state programmes, Umang Lai Haraoba and others.

Apart from folk music, Goshe Meitei learnt Manipuri dance, Manoharsai, classical music and Pena from different teachers.

He became 'B-high grade' approved artiste of All India Radio (AIR), Imphal from 1983 and became playback singer for folk-based Manipuri films like 'Kombirei', 'Yairipok Thambalnu' and 'Khamba-Thoibi' .

He also composed music for many theatre groups and female Shumang Leela groups.

He bagged second best director award in All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival-1988 organised by Manipur State Kala Akademi.

He also won numerous awards notable among them being Nongmaithem Ongbi Pishak award, Kalasana Rajkumari award-2022, Huirem Ranjit award-2022 (life time achievement in folk song) and Images of Manipur life time achievement award-2022-23 .

Meanwhile, Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN), Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU) and South East Asia Cultural Organisation (SEACO) deeply mourned the untimely demise of Goshe Meitei.

They remembered and praised Goshe Meitei for his unwavering dedication to the development and uplift of folk songs.

His sudden demise is a huge loss for Manipur, they lamented.

Along with praying for the departed soul to rest in peace, they also shared the pain and grief of the bereaved family members.

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