Symbolic representation of Lord Pakhangba (depicting one of the Paphal form) in Manipur. As I was reading and learning about Manipur, I felt a strong inspiration to draw the symbolic representation I have seen as a child, in Manipur. I finally drew this acrylic painting after looking up many images online and thinking of the different Paphal form..
An acrylic painting by Monica Ingudam
Dating in Manipur
I see a young couple
With white painted bald heads
Balded by the mob
The young couple
Lowered their eyes
Walking in shame
Like war criminals
Followed by a mob
Loud clinking sounds of the lamp post
Calling for more people
People who knows the law in such matters
Taking the law in their own hands
Passing judgement
Putting the stamp of immorality
The media excels in such coverage and research
Printing all the names of the young couple’s family tree
That was the picture imprinted in my mind
When I thought of dating
While growing up in Manipur.
My mother made sure I read all the news
Lectured me hours
Every time such news was covered
Which was often
But I never understood what defined “The compromising position” the couple was found,
The compromising position the media referred,
Was it looking intently in each others eyes?
Was it smiling and laughing?
Was it holding hands?
Was it hugging?
Was it kissing?
Was it more?
Was there a guideline defined?
There were lots of questions
Questions which I never got answers
And I remained behind
The thick iron gate
The gate which my father had two big locks
The gate which I dare not step out
And I always saw
The white painted bald heads
With lowered eyes
Walking in shame
Like war criminals
Followed by a mob
When I thought of dating in Manipur.
* Maru kokthoklaga, shunu yaingung teiraga, khonggoinaraga keina katpa (Meitei-Lon words from my Mother’s lecture)
~The End~
An Experimental attempt to put thoughts in writing by Monica Ingudam.
Sharing a video taken on a very special day, sometime in April of 2013. I was invited to address the students of Little Flower School, the school I studied and grew up. I was honored to get an opportunity to share about myself and share about FindingTheVoices. Thanks to Little Flower School for such a warm welcome and I remain indebted for the education I have received making me who I am today.
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.
We have had a tremendous positive response from our viewers and listeners. And from the messages received from various age groups, our programs achieved our vision of getting our listeners and viewers inspired, educated, empowered and entertained.
I believe that these stories will bring a change and create a positive image of Manipur and positive thinking to many individuals. I believe that this will definitely contribute to change the scenery of the conflict and violence-torn to peace and progress in our society.
I am seeking out for collaboration to include you. Inviting you to join me in my journey of FindingTheVoices by making this your own.
Spring 2015. An acrylic painting by Monica Ingudam.
Spring 2015
Sweet Pea Flower, hawaitharak mapaal in meiteilon.
Hawaitharak mapaal
An acrylic painting by Monica Ingudam
The butterfly, Kurak in meiteilon.
Kurak
An acrylic painting by Monica Ingudam
The Garden
~The End~
An Experimental attempt to put thoughts in writing by Monica Ingudam.
The black Cat, Houdong Amubi in Meiteilon
I am born black,
I am born as a cat,
Why blame me for your bad luck ?
The Black Cat
An acrylic painting by Monica Ingudam
The traveler.
The traveler
An acrylic painting by Monica Ingudam
FINDINGTHEVOICES 