Rabi Takhellambam
Artisan Mangi is no doubt a popular stone sculpture of Manipur who has earlier bagged various state and National Awards like Bapu Sagat Jiban Award and Dr Ambedkar fellowship Award to his credit in recognition of his contribution to sculpture Art.The Artistic sculpture works he designs include Mukna (Traditionam Manipuri wrestling game), statue of 21 Indian leaders, Khambana Kao Phaba, Irom Sharmila, Shampot Khoiba Loumi (farmer tilling field with pair of Bulls), Breast feeding woman.Oinam Mangi, 65 years son of Ibonungshi hailing from Toupokpi Village in Bishnupur district had earlier displayed his years long collection of stone sculpture works in different exhibitions including Manipur Sangai festival 2014 organised by Manipur Tourism Department.Earlier, Artisan Oinam Mangi has sculptured the statues of Paona Brajabashi, Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Hijam Irabot being erected at the Thangmeiband Cheiraoching hill. The well-designed stone statue of famous Manipuri poet and writer Dr Lamabam Kamal which is slated to erect on upcoming March 13 next year is also sculptured by this 65 years old Artisan.Mangi who started his venture on stone sculpture works from 1885 learnt the craft from his father Ibonungshi, a stone carver by profession. his father was an expert in making Chakri (stone Rice grinder), Mortar etc. Daily activities of his father I stone work impressed young Mangi;s mind. While his father was absent, Mangi used to make various stone statues using hammer. The stone Artisan father did not like his son to adopt stone sculpture profession in view of the low meager income earned from the profession. Stone Carving was not a prospective business at that time. the father liked his son to go on his studies.Mangi studied only upto class X. he has also completed Hindi Ratana course. Stone sculpture has been a thriving business for Mangi since he has been to fetch a good monthly turnover. In a month, he can earn Rs 50,000 at the maximum and Rs 15,000 at the minimum, he said.Interestingly, Mangi’s wife Bilashini is also playing a key role in promoting her husband’s profession. He has made several statues for display and sale in various fairs. The sculptural designs of Mangi have been able to win high public acclaim and feedbacks that he has now received many orders from different interested persons. Maintaining that demand for making statue has now soared up with orders coming up from different parts of the State and beyond, Mangi said that there is no warranty to statue made by carving from stone even though they are water resistant.
