Traditional dolls
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 07 2015 :
Manipur has its own tradition of doll making and this age-old practice has been passed on to youngsters generations after generations.
One such woman who has inherited this tradition from her father and is currently practising it as a lucrative business is Sushila Leima of Kakwa Nameirakpam Leikai.
Her traditional dolls are hugely popular not only in Manipur but also in different parts of the country and the world.
Sushila said that she inherited the art from her college lecturer father H Ibohal, who used to make earth statues.
Sushila makes traditional Manipuri dolls of various sizes ranging from 1.5 ft to 7.5 ft at her Goddess Dolls and Toys Making Industries to supply it to different domestic and foreign companies.
In Manipur, people purchase her dolls to present it to their near and dear ones, she said.
Sushila said that some retail outlets also order life size dolls to keep it in their showrooms.
Saying that she normally use paddy straws, sponge, wire, bamboo and different types of cloth in making these dolls, Sushila said that life size dolls of King Pamheiba's queen Irom Thambal, Sandrenbi Cheisra, Yashoda-Krishna, Goddess Luxmi, Goddess Durga, Mahadeva, Ema Leimarel Shidabi and different tribes of Manipur are her popular products.
She said that she takes around 15 days to complete a life size doll which are normally sold at Rs 10,000 .
However, price starts from Rs 500 and it is usually fixed according to the type of cloths and other artitistic works she use in making the doll, she said.
Saying that 10 other artisans are working in her workshed, Sushila said that their salary is given every month.
She was conferred with the State award in recognition of her contribution towards preserving the art of Manipuri doll making in 2010.Sushila said that she receives orders mainly from France, USA, Nepal, Bangladesh, Delhi, Meghalaya and Rajasthan.
Saying that doll making is a lucrative business, Sushila said that she became financially self reliant after she opened her workshed.