Physically challenged woman searches meaning of life on canvas
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 13 2022: Taking art as a hobby is exhausting even for ordinary people, but this 35 year old single woman with physical limitation is searching for meaning in life through painting, drawing hundreds of pieces in her small room with each stroke coming from her heart.

Thokchom Surjabala Devi, a resident of Awang Khunou Maning Leikai under Lamshang police station, was born to late Th Gokul and late Th (O) Apabi.

She has seven siblings - five sisters and two brothers and all of them are married.

Surjabala is a recipient of National Award for Empowerment of PWDs (2016) .

She studied upto Class X at Gokulchandra Higher Secondary School which is at her neighbourhood.

It was not her lack of interest that forced her to stop schooling but a gradual decline of health after suffering from Poliomyelitis (Polio) at the tender age of eight.

Physically challenged woman searches meaning of life on canvas

Though life has given her a physical limitation which prevents her from pursuing what her friends do, it failed to dent her passion for painting as it was at that difficult period of her life she took up pencil and started concentrating on drawing.

She was a normal kid till seven.

After contracting the disease, Surjabala started losing balance and fell often due to deformities in feet and hands, forcing her to take the help of a wheelchair whenever she needed to venture outside.

Despite her disability, Surjabala does all kinds of household chores and hardly seeks help from others.

In a small accommodation built near the gate of her house, she lives by herself.

She also displayed different pictures she had drawn in the room.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Surjabala said that most of her pieces are based on Manipur folk tales, freedom fighters, film stars, politicians and the period of Covid pandemic etc.

Saying that she had also competed in many painting competitions and won prizes, she added that she started displaying her pictures at art exhibitions, melas including the Sangai Festival and other platforms since 2004 .

"Many art lovers encourage me by buying my pieces", she said and added that she had so far sold over 200 pictures.

She also said she didn't attend drawing classes.

Continuing that she also draws pictures on textiles but it is costlier, Surjabala maintained that she will continue drawing pictures.

Further stating that she is planning to open an art training centre for the disabled, she added that Langthabal AC MLA had assured of extending assistance in establishing the centre.

"I haven't sought any assistance from the Government so far but any assistance is welcome," she said .

On the benefits given to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Surjabala expressed desire for the Government to give the benefits directly to the beneficiaries and increase the amount of the monetary assistance.

"There are many PWDs who don't get any assistance from the Government," she added.