A Life-size Bust In Honour Of "Nura Temshingnabi", Iche Sharmila

Vikram Nongmaithem *

For the first time in the history of Manipur, a young sculptor, Nongmaithem Nandaraj Singh of Kakching Turel Wangma, a student of M.S. University of Baroda currently pursuing his Master of Arts (Sculpture BVA) in the M.S. University, Baroda has started working on a life size bust of Eche Sharmila who stands tallest as the symbol of purity, truth, grit, hope and determination of a true Meitei Chanu.

Eche Sharmila does not only belong to Manipur now she is an international icon for peace and non-violent form of protest against oppressive regimes all over the world and especially the "lawless law", the so called the ARMED FORCES SPECIAL POWERS ACT, 1958. As reported in the Imphal Free Press on September 5, 2013, the young artist aged 23 hails from Kakching and is the third son of Nongmaithem Jhulon Singh and Nongmaithem Ongbi Nandasakhi Devi of Kakching Turel Wangma. Currently the sculptor is based in Baroda.

How the idea began and why Sharmila? Admiring the spirit and determination of Eche Sharmila who has been fasting for 13 years for the repeal of the infamous Black Law known as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act ,1958 which provides the licence to kill innocents by the armed personnel on mere suspicion.

This writer, Nongmaithem Vikram Singh of Kakching Mayai Leikai, an ardent admirer of Eche Sharmila, have long been thinking of the project and luckily I found a ready and reliable collaborator in this young ardent artist when I introduced to him the idea of making a life-size bust of Eche Sharmila.

I also asked him to read the biography of Eche Sharmila, "Burning Bright" by Deepti Priya Mehrotra and other related literature on Eche Sharmila and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 and its impact in Manipur and Manipur, the entire North-east and Kashmir where this barbaric law is in force. Inspired by the work and love of Sharmila he readily agreed to my request although it was my personal request at that time.

There were apprehensions as to whether Eche and her family, the JUST PEACE FOUNDATION and other organisations who are working in the area of human rights would give their assent or object to the making of the bust of a living legend.

Due to financial and other constraints, the idea remained dormant in my heart for a very long time. Because of the lack of technological knowledge in the field, I asked Nandaraj how much it would cost because we knew that there would be some budget constraints. The financing of the project will be done by this writer and the sculptor himself as this is a joint collaboration although in future, we may accept donations from interested individuals and other civil society organisations and NGOs. According to the Sculptor, "The time of completion of the sculpture cannot be fixed at the present because preparations inclusive of photographing her will take time (5th September,The Imphal Free Press)".

In this regard permission has been sought from the family after meeting Tamo Irom Singhjit (elder brother of Eche Sharmila) and others at her residence at Kongpal Khongkham Leikai. After the completion of the finished work, we will donate it to People’s Museum, Kakching or JUST PEACE FOUNDATION or any other area as per the wishes of Eche Sharmila.

As luck would have it, I along with members of the Press fraternity including Tamo Dhanabir, Executive Editor, The Imphal Free Press and Rabecca Hijam (Reporter, IFP), Ksh. Jogendro Singh, a Ph.D candidate in Social Anthropology in the University of Texas at Austin, USA, Mayanglambam Gourachandra (Scholar and Curator, Peoples Museum, Kakching), Ksh. Rajesh Singh, a Ph.D candidate in History at Manipur University, Mayanglambam Prakash Singh ( also a Ph.D candidate in the Departyment of Education, Manipur University), Yengkhom Brojen Singh of KINDTRUST, Kakching and others.

Credit must also be given to Ksh. Onil of NGO REACHOUT who facilitated our meeting with Eche Sharmila, Babloo Loitongbam of HUMAN RIGHTS ALERT and especially Tamo Irom Singhjit of the JUST PEACE FOUNDATION and the Magistrate, Lamphel Court and other security personnel who took great care in performing our stated press meet.

After coming out of the court , with due permission for half- hour from the Magistrate, we had a chance to speak to Eche Sharmila herself, who spoke out on the resent ban on the Press and the need for a free press and the AFSPA,1958. That short period was an enlightening lesson for all of us reminding me of the famous line of Nelson Mandela: "Hope is a powerful weapon and no one power on earth can deprive you of" in a letter to Winnie Mandela written on 23rd, 1969 while he was in the Robben Island prison.

Kindly support the young sculptor, Nongmaithem Nandaraj Singh in his endeavour or send your suggestions to [email protected], (mobile no.-9862709943) or [email protected] (mobile no. 08905154768).