Khusbu strives to preserve State's heritage through glass paintings
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 19 2019:
Joining the present trend of preserving and promoting one's culture, traditions and heritage, artist Sorokhaibam Khusbu (23) has picked up an art form, which is quite new to the people of the State, to promote the State's culture and heritage through glass paintings.
So far, she has made 223 glass painting since 2016 .
Khusbu of Naoremthong Shamusang is the youngest daughter of Sorokhaibam Ishorchandra and Sorokhaibam (o) Chineshwari and she has been drawing pictures/images of the deities, legends, and brave forefathers of Manipur.
Speaking to The Sangai Express today, Khusbu narrated that she came across glass painting on Youtube in 2016.Fascinated by the art form, she purchased glass from the market and tried her hands on painting, she said.
Khusbu continued that she then learned reverse painting, where the painting is done on one side of the glass piece and viewed from the other.
She has made paintings of Pakhangba Paphal, Ibudhou Lourembam Khongnangthaba, Khamba-Thoibi, Moirang Thoibi fishing, Sirui Lily, Kangla Utra Shanglen, Hojang (grand gates of Kangla), Loktak Pat and portraits apart from painting images which are based on tribal communities of Manipur.
Maintaining that she finds glass painting as distinctive and different from other kinds of painting, Khusbu expressed that it will be a unique way to promote and preserve the age old culture and heritage of Manipur.
The artist continued that she has sold 223 glass paintings till now, which she all made from 2016, while adding that she was able to increase the number of paintings from 50 in 2016 to 80 this year.
She further stated that the cost of a painting, depending on the size and frame, ranges from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 .
The paintings are exhibited and sold at a store in Kongba Nandeibam Leikai, Khusbu said while adding that she was able to showcase her works at different mela/festivals like Trade show mela, Sangai Festival among others.
In order to widen her experience, she joined a four month training on canvas painting in Keishamthong Hodam Leirak, she maintained.
Khusbu said her parents are currently engaged in farming and cultivating Maroi Nakuppi (Chinese chives) at Lamdeng as the family is underprivileged.
She added that the money that she gets from selling her glass paintings contribute in managing the family.
Khusbu opined that if the State Government provides Start Up programmes to the people of the State who are extremely talented, then many painters and artistes will be capable of standing on their own feets.