Girl With The Magic Hand- Khusbu Sorokhaibam

Bidyarani Thingujam *

Girl With The Magic Hand- Khusbu Sorokhaibam :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

Every child is born with an unique quality and all we need to do is to bring out that unique quality in the public domain. Khusbu Sorokhaibam of Naoremthong Samusang Uku Sana Leirak had that unique quality and a skilful talent.

To be precise, she was a girl born with a magic hand. Khusbu Sorokhaibam has been pursuing the art of glass painting since 2016 and she officially showcased her first art pieces in Imphal Trade Show held in 2017.

Khusbu has learned the art of glass painting from videos on social media sites like Youtube and started to follow the art thoroughly. Since childhood, she has a keen interest in painting, so it was not a hard task on her side to follow the art form.

Even though she didn't receive any formal training, the former gymnast and archer have a skilled hand in her profession. She has painted around more than 50 paintings since her first launching.

Khusbu also formerly played Gymnastic and Archery but due to her failing health, she left the game.

All of her paintings were mostly based on the people and heritage of the Northeast states. Khusbu had painted pictures of many eminent personalities, heritage sites, pictures based on indigenous tradition and culture and of mythical gods and goddesses of our state.

Girl With The Magic Hand- Khusbu Sorokhaibam :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

Khusbu Sorokhaibam, born in May 1996, is the youngest child of Sorokhaibam Ishwarchandra and Sorokhaibam ongbi Chinishwari of Naoremthong Samusang Uku Sana Leirak. She is the youngest of four siblings.

Khusbu studied up to Class 12 and right now she is pursuing the art of glass painting.

She has also tried her hands on canvas and also has a short training of painting on canvas to Oja Bhajan of Keisamthong Hodam Leirak.

Her painting was first shown at Imphal Trade Fair held in 2017 and Sangai Festival and Winter Festival of the same year. In 2018, she opened her own stall at the Sangai Festival and all her paintings were showcased there.

In a short chit-chat with the talented girl in her residence at Naoremthong Samusang Uku Sana Leirak, Khusbu told us that she has faced various hardships at the beginning but after learning the art and going through many experiences, she had been able to follow the right track.

Khusbu said that her father was very supportive from the beginning and used to provide all the materials she needed to pursue the art.

She further added that at first her mother was not supportive as she wanted her daughter to pursue her career in sports but now it has been all settled.

She added that the materials used in glass painting are glass, frame, water colour, and silver foil.

It took around 2 days to complete a painting and her paintings were ranged between Rs 1500 up to 3000.

Girl With The Magic Hand- Khusbu Sorokhaibam :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

Khusbu's paintings were first sold to Laining Solutions and most of her paintings were sold at the store of Laining Solutions at Kongba.

Khusbu further said that she is determined to become a skilled painter in the future and called on other artistes to come out together to support the art.

Khusbu said, as Manipur has a rich culture and tradition, artistes should use art as medium to bring out our heritage in the global platform.

If artistes like Khusbu Sorokhaibam get proper and full support from all sides, the day will not be far to see talented faces in the global platform in the field of art from our small hilly state.

See a full photo gallery on Khusbu Sorokhaibam here