Silent poetry and echoing verse

By Tongbram Amarjit *

Literature is the mirror of the society. Similarly, fine Arts also reveals the same thing. Both are different medium delineating the true picture of life on the same canvas.

A layman will think that they are separate entity. But art connoisseur knows very well that they are the two faces of a coin. A painting can express thousands of words like a poem.

The only difference is that a poem is the pen picture and a painting is of the colour of life using as its medium of expression. No doubt Art Renaissance comes to Manipur. In the last few decades our art and culture has been developing rapidly.

To bridge the gap between Art and literature more than thirty artists and thirteen eminent poets of Manipuri literature were invited to take part in the five day Multi-media Art workshop organised by the Art Society Manipur at the premises of Manipur State Museum from 8th March to 12th March 2008.

I think this was the first time in Manipur to organise such a workshop in fusion of Art and Literature. I hope the interaction between the artists and the poets will certainly inspire both. The workshop was inaugurated by P. Barat Singh IAS, commissioner Art and Culture, Govt. Of Manipur and Shri L. Shamu Singh Chairman Arts Society Manipur.

After that three renowned poets, who were also the Sahitya Akademi Awardees, recite their own poems. Shri Yumlembam Ibomcha's poem "Tinthrokta Ikaijaba" is highly a symbolic poem. It is about the comparative study between men's cruel nature and the hurts of living creature. The poem could be interpreted in different ways and could be seen from different perspectives.

Secondly, Saratchand Thiyam's poem "Eegee Kolas" is another significant poem reflecting the topsy-turvy condition prevailing in the present day Manipur and also about the global scenario of bullets and bombs and its tragic effect on the life of common people. The poem is straight forward making the listener easy to grasp the central idea. The poem concludes with a note for seeking peace.

And thirdly, R.K. Bhubonsana's poem "Kaphoigee Manam" is another symbolic poem longing for peace and harmony. Old and energetic young artist and ready to create their own vision, ideas and concepts to transform the poems into lookable pictures.

Meanwhile, Shri P. Barat Singh delivering his speech said that the Manipur Govt. has sanctioned three crores to develop the Imphal Art College to make it one of the best colleges in the entire country. And he also assured that he will try his best to uplift the art and culture of Manipur. Shri L. Shamu Singh also mentioned about the establishment of Art Society Manipur and its main aims and objectives.

Art Society Manipur was established in 1972 under the initiative of Shyam Sharma and other art lovers of Manipur. R.K. Yumjaosana and Bhadra were the fore runners of Art movement in Maipur. They revived Manipuri Art, making a huge canvas to portray the rich cultural and traditional aspects of Manipuri art.

Another important person who uplifted fine art is Shri Thoidingjam Tombi Singh, one of the renowned artists of Manipur. Under his initiative many art exhibitions and art seminars were held. And without mentioning the name of R.K.C.S. the art movement in Manipur is incomplete. His paintings are actually like historical book telling the annals of Manipuri society.

Recently, his collection of paintings was published in the format of a book entitled History in Paintings. All his works could be seen at his own art gallery at Keisampat.

His realistic paintings shadowing the rich culture and tradition of Manipuri society were highly paid by VIPs and tourists who visited Manipur Art gallery at the cultural complex (palace compound) is too small for a State like Manipur where its people were creative in fine arts.

Young and vibrant poets like Thoudam Netrajit, N. Bidyasagar, L. Nilkanta (from Cachar, Assam), N Imojit, Bhudhichandra Heisnam, O.C. Meira, Lamboi Kabui, A.C. Netrajit, Haobijam Chanu Prem and Miphudin Shah were also attending the workshop. They were quite fascinated by the paintings displayed in a room inside the museum.

For them it was the first to talk with the silent poetry on the canvas. The following day they all mingled with one another and worked together silently and peacefully trying to create something new. The poets were working with pen and paper on one side and the artists with brush and colour on the other. It's wonderful that 3/4 women artists participated in the painting section.

R.K. Shangrila, daughter of late R.K. Madhubir, (a poet) also there standing in front of the easel with full determination trying to express something in her painting. It is impressive to see them in their painting mood.

All the paintings are of modern art which are not so easy to understand at first sight but reveal something on close examination. They are like the echoing verse of Saratchand Thiyam's poem "Eegee Kholas' woodcut also could be seen during the workshops.

And there the hidden talent of our artists shone. R.K. Thambalsana's painting, Th. Robindro' painting and other artists’ painting show the condition of being a victim of bullet and bombs.

On its closing function Shri Longjam Joychandra and L. Shamu presides over the function as chief guest and President. To the amazement of all Shri Thoidingjam Tombi recites his own poem - "Yekkhini" It's quite exciting to hear a poem from him.

Not only him, Banmali Sharma, A. Joychandra, Premananda Roy, Hijam Satyabrata and others also recites their own poems. All the poets who were participating in the workshop also recites their own poems taking their themes from the exhibiting paintings.

Poems focusing on Irom Chanu Sharmila in another genuine verse from the very core of poet's soul. Actually it will be innovation and thought provoking as well as creative in art and literature if such kind of workshop is organised annually.

And this workshop of amalgamation the thought of the poets and artists will help us to walk forward in making a good imprint on the soil of Mother Manipur to bring peace and harmony forever.