Moirang Journey...

Through Moirang roads, I discovered Manipur in a new dimension. INA or Indian National Army led by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian flag in 1944 much before Indian Independence.

Netaji is a much celebrated figure in this land. Each year this day is marked with respect and glory in Manipur.

Apart from Indian Independence, Moirang has a spectacular lake called "Loktak Lake". This lake is huge and has numerous floating circular wreath like islands all over. I was awestruck by this view from flight above. Though at eye level it is difficult to capture the floating ring island. 

Later that day, I visited Bijangarea Handloom Cluster situated in a serene town called Churchandpur . The textiles and extra weft work are woven with intricacy and impeccable effort. I was Also told that Indian boxer Mary Kom belonged to  Churchandpur.

I am sharing few extra weft fabrics hand woven in Bijangarea Cluster.

After a whirlwind tour I returned to Imphal, and visited Ima market again. Came across beautiful, neat work of Jamdani/ extra weft textiles which I couldn't resist to buy.

 

I returned to Calcutta with lots of goodies like dried fish, fabrics, woolen shawls for an entire year supply. #fondhand

Manipur.. Continuing Journey

Visited Kangla Fort in a bright sunny Autumn morning..a beautiful serene temple greeted me.. The intricate ceiling design was mesmerizing.. The ceiling cut-work inspiration from kirigami technique was an interesting feature in this temple. This Hindu temple born a difficult name "Ibudhou Pakhangbagi Sanglen".

Almost at every corner of the temple and fort I saw this interesting paper filigree installations.

The majestic Kangla Fort reminds me of the forgotten unsung Maitei Manipuri heroes.

I noticed a distinct style of architecture. Predominately Indian, but different of any prominent architectural patterns of India. 

While returning from Kangla I noticed young men kayaking to and fro by the stream next to the fort.

A morning well spent in the fort area with cool breeze flowing and migratory birds chirping... Truly Imphal has so much to offer..

#fondhand

Begampuri Saree

Begampuri Saree

I happened to visit Begampur a few days back. What surprised me is that inside the quaint hamlet, lies a traditional weaving community. This place is hardly 40 Kms from Calcutta. Though the technique  of these weaves are very simple handloom but the placement of color blocking, use of jala and contrast borders make them very fashionable.

This weaving cluster originally consisted of 10000 weavers which have now reduced to 500 only. Prakash Das one of the stalwart weaver of this town is trying hard to keep this handloom cluster from dwindling. Powerloom has taken place of this handwoven magic. with a minimum wage of 250/- to 300/- per day these weaving community is creating magic each day. I acme to know from Prakash that Ashapurna Devi one of the noted author belonged this town.

 Above image shows a dyer working with yarns and vegetable dye.

Rope making, machine embroidery and power loom have replaced this traditional frame work weaving.

One surprise package which I got to know is that Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated during the end  of December unlike September for rest of India. I wish Prakash Das gets a lot of noble promoters for his constant endeavoring activity to keep this weaving community alive and sustainable. #fondhand

When The Thinker Thought of Shoes…

When The Thinker Thought of Shoes…

The thinker thought of making shoes. But thinker was stuck with design, material and cobbler. So one fine day when he got all under one umbrella he came up with some elaborate and decorative footwear.

So the question is what did he actually build? He made some fancy footwear out of Kantha embroidered silks, some Benarsi Silk brocade shoes, Some Wax batik shoes, and some chikankari shoes...

Nice for some everyday belle to transform into Cinderella... 

This was the shoemakers first shoe..

And then came the rest.... But the shoemaker never sold them since he was in love with them..

         

 And he kept on making his dream designs as if he was celebrating a rich Indian festival...

      

       

    

So the moral of the story is Cinderella never got to wear them.. She is content with her pair of glass shoes and the shoemaker is busy crafting shoes but holding them close to his heart.. #fondhand

A Day in Imphal

A Day in Imphal, Manipur

I still remember a whirlwind day in Imphal, Manipur. A not so cold October morning in 2012. folding out many layers of my rebellious thoughts.

Manipur is a land of warriors, vaishnabs, Maiteis, Netaji, women power, and jaw dropping textiles. I happened to be in Imphal for a couple of days for some other work. But visited Ima Market in the heart of the city. The city wakes up quite early and with the break of the dawn you will see young people jogging in and around Kangla Fort with bleak tension of AFSPA patrol.

During the day my visit to Ima Market was like visiting Disney Land. So many things to see, to buy, to taste with little money in my pocket. Most surprising was that all the sellers of Ima Market were Manipuri women. Stacks and stacks of fabric yards are kept to lure the customers. The traditional attire of any Manipuri female is a Sarong with blouse paired with a stole or scarf. These sarongs have vibrant colors with contrast color extra weft work. Also one can see beautiful, intricate and mainly ornated with floral motif Jamdani work in sarongs and stoles. all these textiles are handwoven by women weavers of Manipur. There are many traditional Manipuri motifs are used on these textiles, like Moirangphi: which is temple motif, Poloifiban, Sasabanasaba etc.

In Ima Market one can see Manipuri dance costume available for sell, various puja equipments, elaborate home decor products.

Manipuri people have a fine taste for bed room accessories for instance the mosquito nets they use are finely decorated with embroidery and lace work. Cushions, pillows also bear all intricate work with sequins, lace, etc.

Above you can see an image of colorful Ima market of Imphal where one can buy best of the textiles in great deal.

There are many tribes in Manipur, and each of these tribe have different pattern of beaded jewelry. each strands of beads mark an achievement for their tribesmen.

Will again come back with details of Manipuri Textiles, Motifs, Cuisines and Tribes. #fondhand