Yaikhom Hemanta Kumar is a trained Manipuri dancer, choreographer, teacher and even Manipuri Pung (Mridanga) player. He took training in Pung, Mridanga (Manipuri Drum) from eminent Gurus like Guru Yendrembam Nandi Singh and Guru Yumnam Sekho Singh , Manipur State Kala Academy Awardees. Then he did three years Certificate Course in Manipuri Dance from Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA), Imphal in 1973-76. In addition to that he completed the three years Diploma Course in Manipuri Dance from JNMDA, Imphal in 1976-79. Then he completed two years Post Graduate Diploma Course in Manipuri Dance (Specialization in Raas) from JNMDA, Imphal in 1979-81. Not even that he did the three years Diploma Course in Creative Choreography from Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi under the guidance of eminent Choreographer Padmashree Guru R.K. Singhajit Singh in 1985-87.
Presently working as an Associate Professor in Manipuri Classical Dance in Sangit Bhavan, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan. He also wrote book on Manipuri Dance the Publication is 'Punglon Bhangee Pareng Mangagi'
Yaikhom Hemanta Kumar has worked as Honorary Principal and Director of the Dance Department of Sangit Kala Sangam Khurai, Imphal Manipur since 1978 to 1985 and 1991 to 1993. He has even worked as Honorary Director and Choreographer of Performing Artiste Centre, Khurai, Imphal, Manipur from 1987-90. He has produced many National Scholarship holding students in India and talented performers of Indian and foreign students. He has also directed several Tagore’s Dance Dramas viz. ‘Chandalika’ (2009), ‘Chitrangada’ and ‘Bhanusingher Padavali’ (2010) for the participation of National & International Dance Festivals organized by Sangit Natak Academy. And worked as Research Guide with Research scholars in various Universities.