Manipuri authors L Somi Roy and Dr
Thangjam Hindustani Devi, who creatively retold folktales from their State in
their book Feathers, Fools and Farts, participated in an interaction session with
students jointly held by the National Gallery of Modern Art, Penguin and Imasi
Foundation at its library during the launch event on Tuesday. It is the first
such event highlighting Manipuri art and culture and books.
Union Culture and External Affairs State
Minister Meenakshi Lekhi also joined the special reading session, where she
read out an excerpt from the book and appreciated each story for being “a
thread connecting generations, preserving our heritage” after delving deep “into
some fascinating folktales from the Northeast”.
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Lekhi underscored Bharat’s ancient
cultural storytelling legacy “through traditional folklores” and using it for
weaving “tales of traditions and wisdom, enhancing cultural continuity for
generations…”
An interesting illustrations and
description of the Manipuri folktales are the prominent components of the book and
represent Manipur’s deep-rooted visual culture.
Lekhi read The Autumn Lamp – Mera Wa Yungba
about the brotherhood between the Meitei and Tankhul.
Expressing his thoughts on the launch of
Feathers, Fools and Farts, Dr Somi said, “It is special to me particularly
because it shines the spotlight on the illustrations by Sapha Yumnam. It is the
first program on Manipuri art at the museum.”
He further accentuated Manipuri people “are
known for performing arts” but expressed concern over the State’s “visual arts
tradition” that is “barely known at all, even to us Manipuris”.
Dr Somi continued, “Sapha has introduced
what we call Subika Art, based on the artwork in the subika manuscripts of
Manipur, means in effect, the introduction of an entirely new art form to the
world of South Asian art.”
He hailed the unprecedented and
remarkable role of book publisher company Penguin in the creation of art
history in both books – And That Is Why and Feathers, Fools and Farts.
Dr Hindustani echoed the same sentiments
about “the launch program of Feathers, Fools and Farts… because this program
brings together art and stories of Manipur in a unique way”.
She commended Penguin and NGMA’s program
about the art form in the illustrations for playing a noteworthy role in accentuating
Manipur’s unique traditional creative works.
