India
Manipur Guitarist Beaten to Death in Delhi Remembered by Peers as Gentle Mentor
By Suanshu Khurana, Jimmy Leivon
Chongtham Vikram Singh, a 54-year-old guitarist from Manipur, was beaten to death in Delhi's Kilokari village on Monday after he objected to a group making noise outside his residence. His death has left behind a rich musical legacy and a community of grieving students, friends, and family.
Singh was born into a musical family in Lourung Purel Leikai, Imphal West district. His mother, Chongtham Kamala, now 85, is a celebrated singer known as the 'Lata Mangeshkar of Manipur' for her voice in Matamgi Manipur (1972), the first Manipuri feature film. His father, Chongtham Birendra, was a medical doctor.
Kamala recalled that Singh and his brother Vivek loved performing from childhood and often took part in school events. Singh frequently accompanied his mother to All India Radio (AIR) Imphal, where she was a popular broadcast singer. He eventually auditioned and was approved as a child artist at AIR, where he played the accordion and interacted with prominent Manipuri musicians.
Singh later became the lead guitarist for Ultra Vires, a well-known Manipur band formed in the late 1980s, right after finishing class X, during a peak period for rock music in the state. To further his skills, he studied classical guitar at Trinity School of Music in Kolkata. He subsequently played with bands Phoenix (later Phynyx) and Eastern Dark, the latter known for its socially conscious music.
About two decades ago, Singh relocated to Delhi, where he began teaching electric guitar. He first taught at Arttree Academy of Music & Performing Arts in Kamla Nagar, where he met classical guitar instructor Tej Gurung, who became a close friend. Gurung later introduced him to Hitesh Madaan, guitarist of the band Euphoria, leading Singh to teach at Madaan's ARIA music school in Rajouri Garden. Singh also mentored students privately at home and continued performing with groups including the Delhi-based band Fubar Ghetto.
For around three years, Singh served as lead guitarist for folk musician Mame Khan, known for his work in Zoya Akhtar's Luck By Chance (2009) and his international tours. Khan said singer Chinmayi Sripada had recommended Singh to him, and the two collaborated until 2016, performing in numerous shows and appearing together in two music videos.
Colleagues remembered Singh as an exceptionally kind and talented musician who never quarrelled with anyone. Guitarist Sachidananda Angom, former lead guitarist of Imphal Talkies and The Howlers, studied under Singh in Delhi and recalled him as someone who could "light up a room" and was among the nicest people one could meet. Gurung described him as a brilliant guitarist deserving of wider recognition in Manipur. Khan called his death heartbreaking and expressed disbelief that anyone could harm such a gentle person.
Singh is survived by his wife, Joshna, 54, and their 20-year-old son Yaiphaba, a law student.
On Tuesday, musicians, family members, and well-wishers gathered for a candlelight vigil at the historic Kangla fort in Imphal, demanding justice for Singh. Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh wrote to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, requesting a fair investigation under the direct supervision of senior police officials. He also called for enhanced security measures in Delhi neighborhoods with significant populations of students and professionals from Manipur and other northeastern states.