About Manipur

S02E01 FindingTheVoices: Meeting the Authors of the book “Tattooed with Taboos”

/ Monica Ingudam / 3 Comments

S02E01 FindingTheVoices: Meeting the Authors of the book “Tattooed with Taboos”

Guest Speakers: Shreema Ningombam , Soibam Haripriya, Chaoba Phuritshbam

Language: Podcast in English.
Interview Location : Manipur and New Delhi in India.

“Tattooed with Taboos” is an anthology that records a specific angst of the times developed within the consciousness of the poets. Circumscribed by the construct of womanhood; enveloped within the halo of love, betrayal and breathing, these poems are located in the setting of a conflict torn society. The poets use the personal as a tool to document the changing frames of the society and practices which seems to be “set in stone” through the metamorphosis of their moods, anxiety, hysteria and melancholy. The poems are experiential as well as reflexive.

You can get this book at INFIBEAM

FindingTheVoices brings voices and story that Inspire, Empower, Educate & Entertain us from people all over the world.. It is a talk show presented by Monica Ingudam with the vision to promote and spread positive, hopeful, inspiring & entertaining stories in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur.

This is your show to promote your talents & work, share your experiences and voice what you stand for, what you believe in, what you want people to know & talk about.

Special thanks to Akee Sorokhaibam and my sweet sisters of M4 Girls who have been a part in the making of this Episode.

always carry a book in my bag and this is my current book. Watch the interview of the authors of this book at Findingthevoices.
When a girl expresses her love directly to person it is considered bold and even looked down. Talking about falling in “Love” seems very awkward in our society. Watch what the young poetess from #Manipur have to say about this. What are your thoughts ?
Shreema Ningombam, Author of the book “Tattooed with Taboos” shared an incident where this book was suggested to be a part of the “Chagumba” spread (the first feeding ceremony for a child where a book is a part) but this book was rejected because of the “Phanek” picture in the cover which is considered not auspicious. FindingTheVoices is honored to start our very first Episode for Season #2 making this book a very special and auspicious book for us.
Where do you read a book ? I always carry a book in my bag and read it when I find time, mostly my waiting time. It’s interesting that you will always find pockets of time, time where you are waiting, and we are always waiting for something. This was when I was waiting for my son near the bus stop.
The book has a phanek for its cover is very significant in many ways. We were asked why a meitei phanek, why not any other ethnic community. But it is the meitei phanek which is tattooed with taboos. The phanek of other communities I believe, is not embedded with such stark ideas of impurity. Choosing the phanek mapanaiba as the cover was a very conscious decision. Firstly, it is untouchable, meitei men do not touch the phanek, and putting that on the cover of course will have many men touching the phanek unconsciously. Secondly, it is considered inauspicious. Of course this is strange because I am sure there is not a single man who has not yet touched a phanek. Thoughts?
Untamed (A poem by Shreema Ningombam)
There is so much room to promote the work and talents from #Manipur . The book “Tattooed with taboos” was released in 2011 and yet many of us didn’t know about this. Please share and spread the promotions if you like the book and effort by these young writers.
Meet Kapil Arambam, the man who did the cover design for the book “Tattooed with taboos” , the design we are all raving about, the design which said it all.
Season of Love ( A poem by Chaoba Phuritshabam)
To the Researcher (A poem by Soibam Haripriya)
Behind the scenes for Findingthevoices : We thought Nehru Park at #Delhi will be perfect location and we even found a perfect spot. As we are ready for “Action”, we were told that shooting inside the park is not allowed. Lesson#2 learnt. We ended up shooting just outside near the entrance of Nehru Park with the 2 beautiful young poetess from #Manipur Chaoba Phuritshabam and Haripriya Soibam.
Sharing a cartoon by our special Guest speaker Manas Maisnam for our featured Guest Speakers, authors of the book “Tattooed with Taboos”
Have you read the book “Tattooed with Taboos” ?

V009 FindingTheVoices – About FindingTheVoices from Lukhoi Shougaijam

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It’s been raining in Washington DC today but that didn’t stop us from going out and shooting for Season 2 for FindingTheVoices. Thanks to our Guest Speaker Lukhoi Shougaijam. Sharing a clipping where he shared about FindingTheVoices. Coming up soon will be the video podcast Episode on “Is it ok to call North East Indians as Chinky ?”

Thanks for all your support. Please continue tuning in to our show at http://FindingTheVoices.com

V008 FindingTheVoices – About FindingTheVoices from Bobo Hijam

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It’s been raining in Washington DC today but that didn’t stop us from going out and shooting for Season 2 for FindingTheVoices. Thanks to our Guest Speaker Bobo Hijam. Sharing a clipping where he shared about FindingTheVoices. Coming up soon will be the video podcast Episode on “Is it ok to call North East Indians as Chinky ?”

Thanks for all your support. Please continue tuning in to our show at http://FindingTheVoices.com

Note: Please excuse the rain drops on the camera lens, learning everyday on mistakes made with every shoot.

Episode 061 FindingTheVoices Robert Naorem, Fashion Designer, stylist, Makeup artist sharing about his career (Part 3)

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment

Episode 061 FindingTheVoices : Robert Naorem, Fashion Designer, stylist, Makeup artist sharing about his career choice

Proud to present 3rd part of Robert Naorem’s podcast where we talk in details about his journey as a Fashion Designer and details about his career. Listen to the podcast to hear the details of his career choice detailing about being a make-up artist and aspiration to being a designer, an established designer. He currently employs 15 people, all from Manipur giving them training, grooming them and offering a different life and live with dignity and respect. His belief echos with my belief on Education. He shares about his own experience and struggle with his own parents on his choice of career path. Mostly parent’s don’t consider a career path based on the child’s interest. It’s time for parents to change their mindset and widen their support on career choice other than the traditional acceptable career. Any parents listening to our show ?

You can catch up the 1st part of his podcast where he shared about his conflicting childhood and 2nd part of his podcast where he shared about his first show, Manipur Fashion Extravaganza 2013.

Picture Courtesy : Tiken Thockchom (Tiken Photography) Pictures of the 2nd show of Robert Naorem ‘s Manipur Fashion Extravaganza 2014

Video Courtesy: Youtube ANImultimedia

Episode 059 FindingTheVoices : Romi Meitei Director of Manipuri Movies, sharing his experiences of Manipur Movie Industry (Part2)

/ Monica Ingudam / 2 Comments

Presenting the second part of the podcast (in Meitei-lon) of Romi Meitei, Director of Manipuri Movies, sharing his experience working in Manipur Movie Industry for the last 10 years. He is one of the eminent Manipuri movie director having more than 10 years of experience working in Manipur movie industry as a Director, script writing and even writing lyrics of songs (including one of my favorite Inga Nonglakta). He shares interesting aspect of the work culture and talent of artists which raises the question, Are the actors and actresses in Manipur reading the script ? Is Manipur keeping up with the technology change with the basic infrastructure and challenges in making a movie ? We also spoke about piracy and how that impacts the Manipur movie Industry.

Episode 059 FindingTheVoices Romi Meitei Director of Manipuri Movies sharing his experiences working in Manipur Movie Industry (Part2)

Catch up with Part 1 of the podcast where Romi Meitei shared his experience and vision of Manipuri movie industry. Listen to his podcast to hear his thoughts on “Have the movies in Manipur Industry changed in the last 10 years ? How is the infrastructure ? Are we equipped with a studio ? Are there any government policy or incentives for promoting the movie industry ? We spoke about the immense talents but lack of sponsors for quality movie production. The movies right now are more market driven to get back the investment.

Watch his short movies Noong Amadi Yeroom (Rock And Egg) and Kaangkhada Lin (Snake under the Bed)

For Dog lovers as pet : Dedicated to “Ruby the dog” and all Missing dogs in Manipur

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This Album is dedicated to “Ruby the dog”, all dog lovers as pet and all dogs who went missing in Manipur landing up in people’s plate, without giving a chance to the owner to say Good bye.

STOP stealing people’s pet. STOP eating people’s pet. If you want to eat, buy it, raise your own and eat it but STOP eating by stealing people’s pet.

Ruby The Dog

Such an adorable little dog, With soft black and white fur, And expressive beautiful eyes, Winning everyone’s heart, The minute she walked in our home.

She guarded the house, Welcoming family and friends with her wagging tail, And barking notoriously warning us of strangers, She practically grew up with us, Witnessing every milestones of our life.

She gets older, bony and almost blind, And one fine day she went for a walk never to return back, Words spread that Ruby was hit by a truck, But no trace of her and no body found, And we never got a chance to say goodbye.

It’s a small community, Where you always know who is doing what, But no one will say anything about Ruby’s truck accident, Time went by, Searches continues without any success.

Mr. Mei fully drunk walks by our and his “Leirak” (road leading to home), Swaying and barely able to walk, As though he had the last ounce of guilt left in drunken body, He confessed that he ate one and only “Matum” (piece)of Ruby, As the others are gobbled up by the other drunks.

I am Ngangba,If you meet me I will surely brighten your day,And you will agree with my Master’s choice of my name.Picture Courtesy : Sagolsem Romeo
Meet Petty and (Late) Pluto, eleven years old. Unfortunately, Pluto died on Sept 29 this year due to cancer after trying chemo 2 years back. Blessed to have a wonderful Miss who gives us so much love. Picture courtesy : Elizabeth Okram
Our beautiful Mom’s name is Black and wild Dad’s name is Vodka; It’s time to move out and we are looking for a home.Picture Courtesy : Ronel Seram
My name is Black; I am a proud mommy of 8 puppies; I have an awesome Master; Life is good. Photo Courtesy : Ronel Seram
I have been fed and trained, trained to do their bidding. I am a mere pet; if I didn’t have a master, I would have been one of those vulnerable ones. It was hard, but rigorous practice makes one get used to it. I am a mere animal who wants to live. And I do this, for I want to live. Picture courtesy : Bobo Meitei
Nothing beats napping in our favorite cozy place, My owner doesn’t eat chicken but when people offer her chicken, She saves it for us , calling us Bonee and Bonee Cha with her sweet voice we know we are having a big treat. Picture courtesy : Bimal Thongam
Little Anhiya playing with Maria and we are best friends ever. Photo Courtesy : Ronald Meitei
Summers could be terrible; in a crowded place like this place to look for a shelter isn’t easy. When the temperature soars we could be wild. But at a time like this, when the bright hot ball has gone down, I feel again that I am alive. May it’s the spongy surface, sometimes the breeze and then the edible litters. Picture courtesy : Bobo Meitei
I am Chaoba and when I was just 2 months old my mother went missing, stolen by someone and I still wait for her.Picture courtesy : Shyamo Ingudam
I am a little late but I am looking to join my clans to join against people who steals dog. My teeths are sharp very very sharp. Picture courtesy : Bimal Thongam
I am Boobaa and am adopted by my Master and I love playing with Puchu the cat. Picture Courtesy : Ingudam Manoranjan
The Dog Whisperer in Manipur. Tell me about your fear and insecurity of walking freely in the streets of Manipur. Picture courtesy : Birosh Junior
I have no master, I have no name but the love of my kids are unconditional. Picture courtesy : Amit Sharma Kongbrailatpam
We are just 5 weeks old; Waiting to be named; Playing at Khuman Lampak. Picture courtesy : Jin So Athokpam
This is the moment I wait for, to be with my Master. Picture Courtesy : Laynyn Laithangbam
It was really a scorching day. We had exhausted all our water supplies, no one was willing to be adventurous. So we just walked into a monastery. Beside the heavy gilded door was a large pot filled up to its brim with water, it was where the dog was spotted. He knew that the lens was on him. For a while I thought I had just disturbed someone, then the expression, the guilty, made me capture this. Picture courtesy : Bobo Meitei
I am BG and I am calm, come play with me. Picture Courtesy : Yaishana Huidrom
I am Milo, Lives beside Biotechnology Department, Assam University, I don’t have a master but love by all the Scholars of the Department, I enjoy coffee every evening in the Canteen with them,Homeless but living happily…Picture courtesy : Gautam Seram
I am Brando and love swimming. Want to watch me swim? Photo Courtesy : Geetanjali Naorem.
I want a real dog as my pet, My Mama gets one of these every time, But I want a real dog, She says I can have it when I am big and can take care of of the dog all by myself, I am ready but she wouldn’t listen. Picture courtesy : Monica Ingudam
How can I complain when I am adopted by my beautiful Miss and I look forward our fun time together. Picture Courtesy : Yaishana Huidrom
I love pets, specially dogs, as the saying goes ‘A dog is a man’s best friend’ and I do find that to be very true. I took inspiration from the context of ‘friendship and relationships’, the foundation or core of which I feel is/should be based on loyalty, faithfulness and willingness to ‘wait’, to brave through the ups and downs of life.. Picture Courtesy : RÏĸa Guite
Loves to eat, annoy and sleep like any other yet pertaining. Can’t do without her. That’s my Candace, my best friend. Lots of love. Picture courtesy : Sneha Thapa
We are part of your family, love and pamper us. We love to snuggle on a cold winter day in Manipur. A picture for dog lovers as pet. A photograph by Bimal Thongam
It’s lonely to be home less; I could be a good company; And I will keep looking for my home.Picture Courtesy : Bimal Thongam
My beloved Tingting left me but I will never ever forget you Tinku. Picture Courtesy : Yaishana Huidrom
My paper boy- Loya who brings in my morning paper everyday.. Picture courtesy : Devendra Hijam
I had many affairs with so many dogs in my life, earlier with lots of Desis and later with the videshis, but that also a GSD gone, a Dobb gone, a Labb stolen few days back and at present having an affair with my latest Weiler – Rocky Picture Courtesy : Loyangamba Khundongbam
How lucky am I to have a little Master as my best friend. Picture Courtesy : Putulu Ningombam
Gollu and Tingting during good times. Picture Courtesy : Yaishana Huidrom
Master sends Lots of love from his core of heart and always missing every moment….!!!Picture courtesy : Nelson Khundrakpam
Many people don’t like the Dachshund breed but this one has given me so many memories to cherish, he is quite the cunning one. His name is Willy Boy. Picture Courtesy : Dayrik Nemo Kh
I’m Kitty, 1.9years old. A CARING Mother, A Watchdog, And I love my Family very much. What I like the most apart from meat is MANGO and BANANA. I eat a lot of fruits and CHAMFUT as well. Picture courtesy : Denis Takhellambam
I am Ngangba,If you meet me I will surely brighten your day, And you will agree with my Master’s choice of my name. Picture Courtesy : Sagolsem Romeo
My lazy Raja, always occupying my space.. Picture courtesy : James Soibam
I am Brando and love swimming. Want to watch me swim? Photo Courtesy : Geetanjali Naorem.
Reacts fondly with love to her master, maybe weak but dangerous to strangers, no one dares to enter her teritory…Her name is SHONBI..feeding her cute puppies… Picture courtesy : Gobin Sapam
I am adopted and named Pirate by my Master because of my eyes. I am quite friendly but could be scary and annoying if you are a stranger. If you are a stranger but approved by my Master I could be your best friend.
I am waiting for my Master; The wait is long but it will be all worth it; Picture Courtesy : Bimal Thongam

Thanks everyone for sharing these beautiful pictures of your dog and sharing about your dog.

Episode 058 FindingTheVoices : Romi Meitei Director of Manipuri Movies, sharing his vision of Manipur Movie Industry (Part1)

/ Monica Ingudam / 3 Comments

Presenting the first part of the podcast (in Meitei-lon) of Romi Meitei, Director of Manipuri Movies, sharing his vision of Manipur Movie Industry. He is one of the eminent Manipuri movie director having more than 10 years of experience working in Manipur movie industry as a Director, script writer and even writing lyrics of songs (including one of my favorite Inga Nonglakta).

Episode 058 FindingTheVoices Romi Meitei Director of Manipuri Movies sharing his vision of Manipur Movie Industry (Part1)

This was a very interesting discussion where Romi Meitei shared his experience and vision of Manipuri movie industry. Listen to his podcast to hear his thoughts on “Have the movies in Manipur Industry changed in the last 10 years ? How is the infrastructure ? Are we equipped with a studio ? Are there any government policy or incentives for promoting the movie industry ?

We spoke about the immense talents but lack of sponsors for quality movie production. The movies right now are more market driven to get back the investment.

Watch his short movies Noong Amadi Yeroom (Rock And Egg) and Kaangkhada Lin (Snake under the Bed)

Episode 057 FindingTheVoices Swar Thounaojam sharing about sexual harassment and her own story as a victim (Part 3)

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 Episode 057 FindingTheVoices Swar Thounaojam Playwright and Theatre Director sharing aboutsharing about sexual harassment and her own story as a victim (Part 3)

Presenting the 3rd part of Swar Thounaojam’s podcast where she shares details about sexual harassment and her own story as a victim. In this podcast, she  talks in details about the incident that happened on December 5, 2012 in Bangalore, India following an accident in which her car was hit. She said in an article covered at The Hindu  “I was assaulted by a traffic police constable. He barred me from entering my car and allowed a mob of around 40 men to sexually harass me. I filed two FIRs that evening — one for the accident and another for the sexual harassment and criminal intimidation I faced at the hands of the constable and the mob.” Listen to this podcast to hear her story in her own words of the trauma and difficulties she has to go through as a victim going through the legal process.

Catch up the first part of her podcast and second part of her podcast where she talks about her journey of being a Playwright and Theatre Director and her plays. Swar Thounaojam worked in Delhi, Mumbai, and Munich, and currently runs a Bengaluru-based theater company named FewerEmergencies.

Episode 056 FindingTheVoices Swar Thounaojam, Playwright and Theatre Director sharing about her plays (Part 2)

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment

Episode 056 FindingTheVoices : Swar Thounaojam, Playwright and Theatre Director sharing about her plays.

Presenting the 2nd part of Swar Thounaojam’s podcast where she shares details about her plays. In this podcast, she  talks in details of each of her plays. She shared details about ” Bogey Systems” “Fake Palindromes” “Lucky Lobster“. I loved listening to her sharing about her inspiration for each of this play and how she imbibes and connect Manipur in some way to each of her plays. Is theatre a sustainable career option ? Listen to her sharing about the finance part in the theatre world. It was great learning and seeing a glimpse of the theater world from our very own Swar Thounaojam.

Full play is available online and you can read Fake Palindromes.

Catch up the first part of her podcast where she talks about her journey of being a Playwright and Theatre Director. Swar Thounaojam worked in Delhi, Mumbai, and Munich, and currently runs a Bengaluru-based theater company named FewerEmergencies.