S03E41 FindingTheVoices with Mr. Yambem Laba, the walking knowledge bank of Manipur.

FindingTheVoices with Mr. Yambem Laba, the walking knowledge bank of Manipur. (Part 1)
Guest Speaker : Mr. Yambem Laba, senior journalist at The Statesman Pvt. Ltd.
Language: Interview in English
Location: Imphal, Manipur, India

After numerous requests from intent viewers of our favorite talk show of Manipur, FindingTheVoices has finally managed to land an interview session with senior journalist and profound personality of Manipur, Mr. Yambem Laba.
He is the founder of the movement of Human Rights in Manipur and was
instrumental in filing the first ever petition at the Supreme Court of India challenging the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Assam-Manipur), 1958 in the year 1980.
He is the fourth of five sons to parents whom he describes as pioneer professionals of Manipur; his father being the first engineering graduate of Manipur and his mother being the first lady doctor of Manipur. He studied in Little Flower School and Don Bosco School in Imphal before shifting to St. Joseph’s College, North Point, Darjeeling at the age of 14. There, he was exposed to art and literature of the finest and was imparted the sense of dedication, sacrifice, sense of care and also to be stern when required. He did his bachelors in Economics (honours) and then pursued for Master’s degree at the Delhi School of Economics.
The humble and fearless journalist recounts that the idea to challenge the AFSPA (1958) was born while he and two other friends were hanging out at a cafeteria in Delhi University. It was during this moment that they decided the platform for the challenge should be Human Rights. He felt the need to expose the ruthless situations of Manipur to the world, to show what was happening in the state.
Mr. Yambem Laba was honoured with the Ashoka fellowship in 1988 for his
role as a social entrepreneur mobilizing the youths of poor and neglected Manipur for community and environmental projects. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, London; President of Kanjenglei, a centre for Manipur Art and Culture, Bangalore; member of India International Centre and Indian Mountaineering Foundation; former chairperson in charge of State Human Rights Commission, Manipur; and a former director of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy. As of today, he is currently working as a senior journalist at The Statesman Pvt. Ltd.


About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

 

S03E40 FindingTheVoices with Ms. Anubha Bhonsle: Manipur and Irom Sharmila

FindingTheVoices with Ms. Anubha Bhonsle: Manipur and Irom Sharmila (Part 2)
Guest Speaker : Ms. Anubha Bhonsle, Executive editor of CNN IBN, Journalist and author of “Mother, Where is My Country?”
Language: Interview in English
Location: Washington DC
Catch up the 1st part of the interview at  Manipur through the eyes of Ms. Anubha Bhonsle. (Part 1)

Our guest today is Anubha Bhonsle, recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, 2009 and the author of the extensively researched book on one of the most ignored state of India titled “Mother, Where is My Country?”. She also received the Chameli Devi Award for Outstanding Woman Media Person in the year 2014 for her body of work. Anubha Bhonsle has been a founding member of CNN-IBN (now CNN-News18). In her role as Executive Editor, she led the channels’ coverage of major news events reporting from the ground and has anchored several flagship news, prime time discussions and documentaries.
In the first part of her interview, she shared her story about how she began her career in journalism. This is the second part of her interview.

Anubha Bhonsle’s book “Mother, Where is my Country?” published in January, 2016 is a result of 10 years of research in Manipur. It covers stories of injustice suffered by the people and violation of human rights amongst others.

The book is centered around Irom Sharmila and covers her life, goals and her struggle against the draconian law, Armed Forces Special Powers Act. The iron lady ended her 16 years long hunger strike on 9th August, 2016 to take up the fight from another angle. Anubha Bhonsle expresses her views about this new turn of events in this episode. There has been wide media coverage about the people of Manipur shunning Irom Sharmila’s decision to end her fast, but very little has been covered about the people who have come out in support of her. Anubha Bhonsle says that it took Irom Sharmila more courage to take up the decision to end her fast than she did when she started the hunger strike. She says that although this is not a positive situation, it can be taken as an opportunity for the people in other parts of the country to know more about the ignored state of Manipur and also be a turning point for anyone interested in the anti-AFSPA campaign. Anubha Bhonsle also shares about the experience of her time in Manipur from the perspective of mingling with the people, food and places she has visited. We talk about some of the challenges she faced when she came to Manipur doing her research going from one place to the other.


About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

 

S03E39 FindingTheVoices with Ms. Anubha Bhonsle: Mother, Where is My Country?

FindingTheVoices with Ms. Anubha Bhonsle: Manipur through the eyes of Ms. Anubha Bhonsle. Mother, Where is My Country? (Part 1)
Guest Speaker : Ms. Anubha Bhonsle, Executive editor of CNN IBN, Journalist and author of “Mother, Where is My Country?”
Language: Interview in English
Location: Washington DC

Our guest today is Anubha Bhonsle, recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, 2009 and the author of the extensively researched book on one of the most ignored state of India titled “Mother, Where is My Country?”. She also received the Chameli Devi Award for Outstanding Woman Media Person in the year 2014 for her body of work. Anubha Bhonsle has been a founding member of CNN-IBN (now CNN-News18). In her role as Executive Editor, she led the channels’ coverage of major news events reporting from the ground and has anchored several flagship news, prime time discussions and documentaries.
In this episode, she shares her story about how she began her career in journalism. She says that she was one of those who didn’t know what they wanted to do and found her calling very late in life. Her first prolonged assignment was to cover Irom Sharmila when she was in Delhi in 2006. She says that she had to go “undercover” for the assignment and spent many days and nights in the hospital where Irom Sharmila was kept confined.
We also talk about her book which is a result of 10 years of hard work and research. The book covers heartbreaking stories not only of Irom Sharmila, but also of all citizens of Manipur. It has reports about the people’s protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, National Highway blockades in the North Eastern states, Human Rights violations, underground groups and political turmoil in the Manipur. She also talks about the reaction and feedback she has received so far from the readers.

About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

 

S03E37 FindingTheVoices with Mr. Oinam Khelchandra Singh, Understanding the Rituals for the dead in Manipur.

FindingTheVoices with Mr. Oinam Khelchandra Singh, Understanding the Rituals for the dead in Manipur.
Guest Speaker : Mr. Oinam Khelchandra Singh, Arangbham Purel, from Sagolband Sayang Leikai
Language: Interview in Meiteilon
Location: Imphal, Manipur, India

For those who are left behind, a funeral provides a place for family and friends to gather for support and to reminisce, an opportunity to celebrate the life and accomplishments of a loved one, a chance to say goodbye, and the focal point from which the healing process can begin. The funeral identifies that a person’s life has been lived, not that a death has occurred. It is also important to notify the community that this person is no more.
There are thousands of different culture and communities in India, and they practice different customs and rituals for a funeral.
This episode is a documentation of the meitei-meetei (or meitei-hindu) funeral rites and ceremonies. We have Mr. Oinam Khelchandra Singh, Arangbham Purel, from Sagolband Sayang Leikai helping us out in this episode as we try and cover all the customs and their significances.
Mr. Khelchandra Singh learnt everything about the rituals from the elders and performers and has been practicing for 30 years now.
We talk about the rituals to be followed when a person passes away, about lamboiba, and he describes the traditional customs step by step in detail. We discuss why clothes are burnt after a funeral, the purpose of lighting a candle or a small lamp at the place of cremation and other such topics. He also tells us the purpose of various rituals and about the symbolic meaning of the attire people wear during the 14 day period of the ceremony.

About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

 

S03E36 FindingTheVoices with Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam talking about the art of invitation using Banana leaves in Manipur. (Part 2)

FindingTheVoices with Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam talking about the art of invitation using Banana leaves in Manipur (Part 2)
Guest Speaker : Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam, Retired Lecturer, Thmabal Marik College, Oinam, Manipur .
Language: Interview in Meitei-lon/Manipuri
Location: Imphal, Manipur

Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam presented a paper on the use of banana leaves in 1987-88 during her M. Phil course as she felt that the traditional custom of using banana leaves were slowly fading in Manipur. Her paper was made possible with the help of a few learned scholars and practitioners of the art form and was very well received at Manipur University. In this second episode, Madam Saroj describes how banana leaves are used along with betel leaf, coconut, ginger and flowers as a form of invitation for traditional ceremonies in Manipur. The different arrangements of the invitations for different persons are show with the help of pictures in this episode. Just by looking at the form of arrangement, one would be able to tell whether the invitation was for the King, Queen or other members of the royal family. Different structural arrangements are also available for Arangbham, Brahmins and the common people.

Madam Saroj also talks about the form of society during the reign of monarchs. She says that the justice system in those days was very different from the one that we have today, which is very slow in delivering judgments. She feels that there has been a rise in crime in the present society because of the slow pace of the justice system.


About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

 

S03E35 FindingTheVoices with Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam talking about the art form of Banana leaves in Manipur. (Part 1)

FindingTheVoices with Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam talking about the art form of Banana leaves in Manipur (Part 1)
Guest Speaker : Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam, Retired Lecturer, Thmabal Marik College, Oinam, Manipur .
Language: Interview in Meitei-lon/Manipuri
Location: Imphal, Manipur

Banana leaves are used in a number of occasions in various regions of India. In Manipur, these leaves are used during religious rituals as well as a form of invitation for certain traditional customs. This episode is dedicated to the significance of banana leaves in Manipur, a documentation of the art form that has been practiced since the time of Kings and Queens. Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam presents very thorough information on this practice with the help of her M. Phil paper from 1987-88. Banana leaves are used in every major ritual in a person’s life; starting from birth ceremonies (Swasti Puja, Yupan Thaba), “Na Hutpa”, marriage ceremonies, and also during funeral rituals. There have been a few changes in the way the leaves are used during rituals, for example, the “Tang Yatpa” came into practice only after the arrival of Hindu religion in Manipur. However, the same old practices are still followed without any change in traditional Meitei festivals like “Lai Haraoba”.

Madam Saroj also talks about the different variety of banana leaves and their purposes; Leihou La, Leiyai La, Changbi La, Noney La to mention a few. The most commonly used is the Noney La, which is suitable for use in feasts because of its odorless quality. Madam Saroj also describes a little about how these leaves were so commonly used as invitations before the printed version of invitations came out. A description of how banana leaves are used as invitation for Shri Govindaji is shown towards the end of this episode.


About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

 

S03E34 FindingTheVoices with Mr. Phungzathang Tonsing, Health Minister of Manipur.

FindingTheVoices with Mr. Phungzathang Tonsing, Health Minister of Manipur.
Guest Speaker : Mr. Phungzathang Tonsing, Health Minister of Manipur.
Language: Interview in English
Location: Imphal, Manipur

Our guest for today’s episode is Mr. Phungzathang Tonsing, Health Minister of Manipur. He was born in Bungpilon village in Churachandpur district, Manipur in 1937. He shares with us about how he grew up in the village and how he was taught valuable life lessons by his parents to become a hardworking and responsible person. He passed his matriculate exam from Churachandpur Government High School in 1960. He then served as a teacher at Bungpilon Government Junior High School from 1961 till 1971.
After retiring as a teacher from the school, he joined politics and contested in the District Council elections for Thanlon constituency, where was elected unopposed in 1972. Mr. Tonsing worked as a district council member upto 1976 and later on became chairman in 1977. Later on, he contested in the Assembly elections and won three times in a row from 1980 to 1990. He was however defeated in the elections of 1995 and 2000, but again got elected in 2002, where he became a minister.
We ask Mr. Phungzathang Tonsing why he became a politician and what changes he has brought about for the people. Manipur has become a place where there are frequent bandhs, blockades and strikes and this situation has made the state unable to function like any other state in the country. In this
context, Mr. Tonsing says that citizens should take up their issues with
the Government in a democratic manner. He says that even if bandhs or blockades are called, there should be a limitation; they should not be called indefinitely. We also talk about the advantages of social media and the lack of transparency from the side of the Government to the public in Manipur.

About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

 

S03E33 FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta: Status of artists in Manipur. (Part 3)

FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta, Status of artists in Manipur. (Part 3)
Guest Speaker : Mr. RK Budhimanta
Language: Interview in English

Location: RKCS Art Gallery, Imphal, Manipur, India

Catch up the 1st part of his interview at FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta, learning about RKCS Art Gallery, Manipur.

Catch up the 2nd part of his interview at FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta, Art and creativity in Manipur. (Part 2)


Apart from being a painter and a sculptor, 4th generation artist of the RKCS family, RK Budhimanta also makes topiaries, creating animals and birds shaped structures from bushes and plants. His works can be seen at their garden and also along the bank of the Nambul River. The artist was also once a flora devotee, collecting varieties of flowers and winning a few prizes in flower exhibitions. Along with recreating paintings that were previously done by his father, Rajkumar Chandrajit Sana, Mr. Budhimanta also creates his own paintings to express his thoughts and send messages though the paintings. One such painting is a portrayal of skulls depicting the devastating consequences of war; another is a painting illustrating the gruesome nature of starvation in Somalia; and another is a crafty portrait of Irom Sharmila that also reveals a map of Manipur when closely examined.

Most of the paintings done by RKCS are collected and in more demand among the non-Manipuris than the people of Manipur themselves. Mr. Budhimanta says that he actually appreciates this trend and feels proud about the fact that more and more people outside of Manipur are interested in collecting and studying about the culture of Manipur. Although, he wishes that the people of Manipur would also follow this trend of collecting paintings and become a little more passionate about art. He says that there are many talented artists in Manipur but lack exposure. He wishes to bring all these artists together under one roof and establish a hub for displaying and selling their beautiful paintings for the tourists and art lovers. The artist also stresses about the difficulties they face whenever they participate in exhibitions held outside Manipur because of the lack of sponsorships from both Government and private bodies.


About FindingTheVoices:

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

S03E32 FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta: Art and creativity in Manipur (Part 2)

FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta, Art and creativity in Manipur. (Part 2)
Guest Speaker : Mr. RK Budhimanta
Language: Interview in English

Location: RKCS Art Gallery, Imphal, Manipur, India

Catch up the 1st part of his interview at FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta, learning about RKCS Art Gallery, Manipur.


RK Budhimanta, a 4th generation artist of the RKCS family and one of the most prominent artists of the state, has been carrying on the longest tradition of painting in Manipur. He has been taking the lead in showcasing and exhibiting the beautiful portrayals of history, culture and traditions of Manipur in various parts of India. Mr. Budhimanta has plans to extend their presence at the international level although he says that lately he has been fairly occupied with delivering the numerous orders they have been receiving. He says that there has been quite a demand for their paintings even by the Manipuris settled abroad. The RKCS Museum of Arts and Crafts is a place of attraction both for the locals and tourists alike. Many dignitaries of the state and nation have already visited the museum and is one of the most acclaimed tourist attractions in Manipur. The curator says that they have been able to maintain the museum because of the generous donations made by the visitors at the museum.

Besides paintings, the RKCS family also organizes other activities like painting competitions for children and has also published a few books about art and collection of literatures by the legendary artist, Rajkumar Chandrajitsana. Our guest also talks about his miniature paintings of famous personalities of the world. He started making the 1cmx1cm sized paintings in 2001 and so far he has created about 270 of such. The first miniature paintings he ever made were of Osama Bin Laden and George W. Bush!


About FindingTheVoices:

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/