The uniquely distinctive skill of Manipur in the field of weaving, handloom and handicraft is once again yet proven by artisan Wahengbam Shaya Devi.
With the announcement of prestigious Sant Kabir Award and National Handloom Award 2023, Wahengbam Shaya Devi from Manipur has been selected. She will confer the award under the category Sant Kabir Handloom Award also known as Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay Award.
The award given by Ministry of Textile has selected altogether five weavers under the Sant Kabir Award category for this year. Wahengbam Shaya is the only artisan to be honoured with this award from North East region for this year. Other selected weavers are Kharet Devji Bhimji and Maganbhai Danabhai Vankar from Gujarat, Ram krishna Meher and Harilal Meher from Bhubaneshwar.
On the other hand, five artisans from North East region were selected for prestigious National Handloom Awards. The winner are Meghali Das of Assam, Vekuvolu Dozo of Nagaland, Nabam Yapi of Arunachal, Nirmala Sinha of Tripura and Vanlalruati of Mizoram
Wahengbam Shaya born in 1967 at Wangkhei Lourembam Leirak under Imphal East district expressed her profound happiness for selecting the said award.
“No word to define my happiness. I feel so emotional and feel like crying when I see my name in Sant Kabir Award list where five weavers are selected. The hardship and challenges which I have gone through was compensated on getting this recognition. It is a moment of motivation and encouragement,” Shaya who have been in the field of weaving for more than 40 years expressed while interacting with Imphal Review of Arts and Politics.
Shaya said that most of the Manipuri traditional Inaphee (traditional shawl) which she produced are weave with her own design and motif.
“Sometimes I copy age-old design which have great recognition and popular from many ages. But I work with my own design and motif. So far, I have introduced so many designs. Some of them are Satra design, Phiruk, Satra and Sarong Tomthil, Siroi Lily, Choubi Mapal, Kundo etc. Most of the design are derived from our culture and tradtion,” she stated.
Shaya’s hard-work and dedication on keeping the handloom and weaving heritage alive was already recognise from before. She received State Merit Certificate, State Award and National Award on weaving. As her persistent effort doesn’t go in vain that she become second person from Manipur to receive Sant Kabir Award.
“I will be the second person to received Sant Kabir Award from Manipur. In my first attempt, I was not selected for this award. But I was so hopeful and confident that I will surely select this time,” Shaya mother of two expressed. w
Shaya wife of Chungkham Nabakumar Singh got the Sant Kabir Award on three weaving designs namely Ngathokpa Phee, Sarong Phee and Khoi Charong Inaphee. It took four months to weave Nga Thokpa and Sarong Inaphee and two months in Khoi Charong.
Shaya also shared the difficulties which she has gone through this ongoing tumultuous period of conflict affecting her economy to a great extent.
“So many women are working under me. As I couldn’t make good sell, it was great challenge for me to give their payment on time. But I somehow manage it,” Shaya said.
Shaya said that weaving is not a very profitable job. Nevertheless, many women of state are relying on this sector as main occupation. “From my teenage onwards, I have been engaging into this profession and supporting my family. Even after my marriage, this has become my only job to makes the end meet,” she shared.
She expressed her desire of providing financial support to all the genuine weavers of Manipur.
It may worth mentioning that Sant Kabir Award is an award conferred by government of India to outstanding weavers who have made valuable contribution in keeping alive the handloom heritage. It was established to recognise the weavers for bridging the linkages between the past, present and future through dissemination of knowledge on traditional skills and designs.
All the winner will receive their awards at Vigyan Mancha on August 7, 2024.
The writer is an award winning reporter
