I have won many, this is the biggest: Padma Shri awardee Sasa
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, January 27 2024:
At 73, Machihan Sasa has finally cemented his name as the most distinguished potter in Ukhrul district and a proud Padma Shri awardee for his exceptional craftsmanship and for promoting the indigenous pottery.
Hailing from Longpi Kajui village in northern Ukhrul, Sasa's passion and dedication towards his craft have always been adored but with Padma Shri award, it s definitely been a feat of a lifetime.
Sasa has been honoured with prestigious civilian award in recognition of his outstanding contributions in the art of pottery and the same was announced on the Republic Day.
In an interview in Ukhrul town on Friday, Sasa shared his joy, reaction and gratefulness on receiving the prestigious award.
"Firstly, I thank the Almighty for opening the door for me.
It is truly a blessing and a great honour for me," Sasa said in the interview.
"I am also grateful to the government for recognising me and my profession, even though I am not aliterate person".
Sasa's journey as a potter began at a young age of 20, when he inherited the traditional art form from his ancestors.
Longpi Kajui is famous for its distinctive black pottery, made from a unique mixture of clay and stone, which is known for its strength and durability.
"It was 1970 when I first started learning the art of pottery and its traditional techniques from my father who was also a renowned potter in the village," Sasa recalled.
He added that back then, there were not many potters in his village and his father along with some six-seven men only were engaged in the pottery.
Being a third-generation potter, Sasa's skills and expertise have been honed and perfected over the years.
"In the course of my occupation as a Nungbi potter, I have won numerous awards, certificates, and gold medals.
But, this Padma Shri is the highest of them all and it holds a special place in my heart," he said in elation.
Notably, Ukhrul for Sustainable Development (UfSD), an Ukhrul based NGO, is also credited to have played a significant role in recommending Sasa for the award.
Sasa's talent first gained recognition at the All India Handicrafts Week hosted by the District Industries Centre MED, Ukhrul in 1979."This was the first award I received for my craft.
It was a district award," he said.
Buoyed by this recognition, he honed his skills and expertise harder, leading him to receive both a Certificate of Merit and a National Award Certificate from the Ministry of Textiles in 1987 and 1988, respectively.
In a world that is constantly evolving and moving towards modernisation, Sasa remains a simple and humble man, deeply rooted in his culture and traditions.
Sasa's commitment towards promoting the traditional art form of Longpi pottery has not wavered over the past 50 years.
He has been actively involved in conducting workshops and trainings for the younger generation.
He has so far trained over 300 people, passing down his skills and knowledge to help preserve the heritage art form for future generations.
As Sasa basks in the glory of his Padma Shri win, he hopes that his story will inspire others to continue promoting and preserving their traditional art forms.
"I pray that this award will bring more visibility to our unique Longpi pottery and generate more interest and demand for it," he said.
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