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
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
Hi Anindita,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world of blogging. This post is amazing !!!
Priyank, I will try to live up to your expectations.
ReplyDelete