How a simple love song became the soundtrack of Mon’s football glory

“Kenlaknang o üte, Monglüomonglüo, Tüotailaknang kemputokphei tokphei, Kenlaknang o üte, Kenlaknang o üte…”

(“You’ll also love me, slowly, slowly, I’ll follow you wherever you go, I’ll come behind you wherever you go. You’ll also love me, you’ll also love me.”)

These simple lines from Kenlak Nang O Üte have travelled from the quiet village of Wakching in Mon district to screens across Nagaland and beyond.

What began as a personal composition by 21-year-old Hentok Konyak has now become an ‘anthem’, according to social media discussions, inseparable from Mon district’s historic win at the 24th Dr. T Ao Trophy. Fans at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima sang it at every Mon match, propelling the love ballad into viral status and leaving a lasting mark in the state’s footballing history.

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In just two weeks, the song has crossed 3.7 million views on YouTube, with Hentok’s subscriber count climbing to over 91,000. It has also flooded Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, where the track has been widely used to create reels and short videos.

For Hentok, the sudden fame is still sinking in. “The success of this song was unimaginable. I feel honoured and humbled by the encouragement I’ve received—it has inspired me to keep making music,” he told Eastern Mirror.

His musical journey began early, though not without hardship, as he lost his mother when he was just six years old. At 17, he channelled his grief into writing his first official composition—a Mother’s Day tribute. Since then, he has penned 16 songs, carving out a space for himself as a singer-songwriter with no formal training.

The son of Yoko Konyak, a well-known singer in the Konyak community, Hentok draws inspiration from his father but has charted his own path. Bollywood songs and local music have also shaped his style. He recalled that although his father stopped performing due to age, he has not sought his help in composing songs, underlining his independence as an artist.

A self-taught guitarist, Hentok dreams of learning drums and other instruments, but financial constraints have limited him. “Even recording and producing the video for Kenlak Nang O Üte was a struggle,” he shared. The four-minute, 50-second song took a year to complete, with funding being the biggest hurdle.

The unexpected anthem

For Mon district, the timing could not have been better. As the team battled its way to victory in the state’s most prestigious football tournament, the song became the soundtrack of their campaign. Sung spontaneously by Mon supporters in the stands, it was soon being picked up by thousands online.

The song itself tells the story of a love pursued with patience and confidence, complimenting the beauty of the loved one and expressing the hope that feelings will one day be reciprocated. But beyond its romantic theme, many saw in it a metaphor for perseverance and faith, values that resonated with Mon’s underdog journey to clinching the championship.

 “The chance to perform in front of 30,000 people during the tournament was the most unexpected and unforgettable moment of my life,” said Hentok. “Later, to perform again at the post-victory celebrations in Mon town was another big surprise.”

Hentok is careful to credit those who have supported him. He singled out his cousin Leiwang T and his crew for their role in the song’s production, along with fans who sang it at Mon’s matches, contributing to its viral spread.

He expressed gratitude to the Nagaland Football Association (NFA), under President K. Neibou Sekhose, Kohima Deputy Commissioner Henok Buchem, the Kohima DPDB, KDFA, and various civil society groups and departments that made the Dr. T Ao Trophy possible. He also thanked the Mon District Administration, led by DC Wennyei Konyak, the Mon District Football Association, and Konyak civil society groups for inviting him to perform at the thanksgiving celebrations in Mon.

Above all, he credits God for his unexpected journey and says he is “indebted to all individuals and communities across the state and beyond who have shown undeserved affection, love, and support.”

Now branded as an “internet sensation,” Hentok is determined not to let the moment fade. He wants to devote more time to music, build a catalogue of songs, and reach audiences far beyond Nagaland.

But he is also candid about the challenges facing local artists. “I hope the government will promote and support local musicians to further develop the music industry,” he said.

For now, Kenlak Nang O Üte has secured a special place in Nagaland’s cultural memory—forever tied to Mon’s 2025 Dr. T Ao Trophy triumph, and to the story of a young artist whose song of love became the anthem of victory.