North East Indian

S02E28 FindingTheVoices: Bung Keisham, fashion designer from Manipur sharing about being gay. (Part 1)

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment
FindingTheVoices: Bung Keisham, fashion designer from Manipur, sharing about being gay.
Guest Speaker : Bung Keisham
Interview Location: Web Interview, Guest Speaker joining in, from Netherlands.
Language: Interview in English

Bung Keisham, Fashion designer from Manipur shared about his rough childhood and dealing with the unacceptance of his identity as a gay.

 “The first time I knew I was different was when I wanted to buy Manipuri dolls. I was locked in the house and beaten up because I liked girl’s things. I was taken to the psychiatrist to change my thinking. I tried to commit suicide multiple times. I wasn’t accepted the way I am.”
This is the first part of the interview, please come back for the 2nd part.

MI_5Born 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/

S02E27 FindingTheVoices: Juliana Phaomei, a rongmei kabui tribal student from Manipur

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment

FindingTheVoices: Meeting with Juliana Phaomei, a rongmei kabui tribal student from Manipur

Guest Speaker : Juliana Phaomei , student, blogger at This Life, My Day   

Interview Location: Video Call , Juliana joined in from Bangalore.

Language: Videocast in English

Meeting with Juliana Phaomei, a rongmei kabui tribal student from Manipur.

I met her to get her feedback and input as part of our outreach campaign of FindingTheVoices. I received such great feedback and was very excited to answer her questions, listening to her views/feedback. I am really happy to meet young people from Manipur who believe in peace and progress. She also asked me great questions, where I got an opportunity to share my vision and thoughts. Juliana is a young 20 year old student filled with great ideas and spirit, seeking change, a change and integration we need in Manipur. This was not a planned episode but I have to share her voice and her questions. This is just the beginning.

MI_5Born 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 completed 3 years of pod casting and 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.

http://FindingTheVoices.com

 

S02E26 FindingTheVoices: Moirangthem Inao legendary radio playwright of Manipur Part 2

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment

S02E26 FindingTheVoices Moirangthem Inao legendary radio playwright of Manipur Part 2

Guest Speaker : Moirangthem Inao

Interview Location: Imphal, Manipur, India

Language: Podcast in Meitei-lon (Manipuri)

An interview with Moirangthem Inao, a legendary radio drama script-writer. He is 70 years old. He has scripted more than 90 Radio plays and around 50 video/movies. This is Part 2 of his interview where he talks about students of Manipur, moments of hearing about getting awards for his work, journey of his financial struggles. He also shared very interesting details where he compared his production for Radio and Cinema. He shared about his personal life which influenced his choice of work.

Catch up Part 1 of his interview at S02E25 FindingTheVoices Moirangthem Inao legendary radio playwright of Manipur Part 1

I am a big fan of his work and grew up listening to his radio dramas broadcasted by All India Radio, Imphal. And to hear his journey and experience from him is an absolute honor.  His work are inspired by the social life in Manipur. His strength in his writing is bringing out human emotions with a mix of romance and tragedy.

“Anuradhapur Ashramgi Rajkumar”, “Lonthoktabagi Lon” “Chatledo eidi”, “Nongallabasu Thaballei Manam ” are some of his popular recognized work.

 

MI_5Born 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/

 

098 It’s all in the mind : Second Hand Clothes in Manipur

/ Monica Ingudam / 28 Comments

Second Hand Clothes in Manipur

You mock with slandering words,
To those wearing second hand clothes,
You must be the elite one,
Dressed in the way you think the elite does,
Covering your pretense,
Of your origin,
Have you forgotten the makeshift toilet ?
The one you ran with a small bucket ?
Where you held your breath from your own stench ?
Have you forgotten the fasting you did ?
To demand for a new bike which all your friends had ?
Oh! but you didn’t see how your mother ran door to door,
Borrowing money yet again,
Selling the gold earrings her father gave,
To keep up with your elite look,
Covering your economic status,
As you walk on the street,
With the material things you adorn yourself.

I had a blue jacket as a child,
Turning the inside out, it turned to a beautiful bright red jacket with blue borders,
A second hand jacket my grandmother gifted,
Which she meticulously picked amongst the many she saw and compared,
From the open second hand market at Churachandpur in Manipur,
Which was named my foren (foreign) jacket,
That became my favorite,
Many complimented wanting one for themselves,
My grandmother obliged and got more every time she visited,
For friends and neighbors who wanted,
But it was a hush hush matter that it was second hand clothes.

You who maintained the elite look,
Either by the hush hush words,
Or by your demands,
Mocking with slandering words,
How different are you in economic status ?
The status we all strive to rise above.

~The End~

An Experimental attempt to put thoughts in writing by Monica Ingudam.

This poem was written after I read comments amongst the people of hill and valley of Manipur mocking each other, trying to belittle the other making fun of wearing second hand clothes generalizing a community.

 

097 It’s all in the mind : The Tree at Punshilok

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The Tree at Punshilok

I stood mesmerized by this tree,
With jet black trunk,
Looking rough and strong,
Growing on a hill,
A hill which once was barren,
Nurtured back,
Filling with greens and colors,
With different trees and flowers,
By kind-hearted people,
Believing in the balance of nature,
Rippling love and harmony to the humans,
Even giving a taste of calmness,
If you ever seek to connect back to nature,
Be sure to follow the trail,
Leading to Punshilok in Manipur,
Giving you a chance,
To play with the cold water trickling from the small stream,
To inhale the raw smell of the reddish soil of the hill,
To soak the fresh smell of bamboo leaves,
To lay your eyes on the tree with jet black trunk,
and stand where I stood feeling the creativity pouring out,
Your heart pleading to sit back and watch,
Watch the view of the valley with the green hills tucked behind,
And if you are early you might even catch the sunrise,
The sight which will make your heart seek,
To return yet again.

 

~The End~

An Experimental attempt to put thoughts in writing by Monica Ingudam.

Dedicating this poem to everyone who have nurtured this hill which was once barren. A great example of change initiated by the people bringing each tiny effort together from planting to cleaning up, and nurturing it back to a green luscious hill. Thanks to everyone at Punshilok, Manipur

S02E25 FindingTheVoices: Moirangthem Inao legendary radio playwright of Manipur Part 1

/ Monica Ingudam / 8 Comments

S02E25 FindingTheVoices Moirangthem Inao legendary radio playwright of Manipur Part 1

Guest Speaker : Moirangthem Inao

Interview Location: Imphal, Manipur, India

Language: Podcast in Meitei-lon (Manipuri)

An interview with Moirangthem Inao, a legendary radio drama script-writer. He is 70 years old. He has scripted more than 90 Radio plays and around 50 video/movies.

I am a big fan of his work and grew up listening to his radio dramas broadcasted by All India Radio, Imphal. And to hear his journey and experience from him is an absolute honor.  His work are inspired by the social life in Manipur. His strength in his writing is bringing out human emotions with a mix of romance and tragedy.

“Anuradhapur Ashramgi Rajkumar”, “Lon Thoktabagi Lon” “Chatledo eidi”, “Nongallabasu Thaballei Manam ” “Kanana tallakee”, “Adungeigi masannabagum”, “Lallakki pal” are some of his popular recognized work.

This is Part 1 of his interview, please look out for the 2nd part of his interview where he shared about his personal life which influenced his choice of work.

 

MI_5Born 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/

 

S02E24 FindingTheVoices: Funeral process of Meitei Hindus in Manipur

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S02E24 FindingTheVoices: Funeral process of Meitei Hindus in Manipur

Guest Speaker : Rajkumar Imoba Singh , Legal Practitioner in Manipur

Interview Location: Imphal, Manipur, India

Language: Podcast in Meitei-lon (Manipuri)

I had always wanted to learn more about the practical process of funeral. This episode focuses on the Meitei Hindus funeral process followed in Manipur.

I had approached my community brother Rajkumar Imoba Singh of Kwakeithel Thiyam Leikai, who had volunteered in almost all the funeral in our community. He is not a professional in this field but he  is sharing his knowledge and experience based on what he had seen so far and have clarified some of the questions I had.

I had had written Death , A Place for the Dead earlier.

Please do share your knowledge, experience and comment if any. This is just an attempt to learn the practical ongoing practice which many are reluctant to talk about.

MI_5Born 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/

 

Ratan Thiyam, playwright and theatre director from Manipur at THiNK 2012

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This week, I had read the article “Around the world with Ratan Thiyam” and being a big fan of his work I looked him up to read and catch up on his latest work. I am happy to have found this old interview of him at THiNK 2012 and am sharing his voice which needs to be heard, a voice from Manipur.

“When the system is going wrong, the protest is through theatre” says it all.

Source: The Healing Voice: Ratan Thiyam at THiNK 2012, Ratan Thiyam in conversation with Tarun Tejpal at Tehelka’s THiNK 2012 session on “A Master’s Voice: What Art Can Do in a Time of War”

S02E23 FindingTheVoices: Chaoba Thiyam filmmaker and artist from Manipur

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment

S02E23 FindingTheVoices: Chaoba Thiyam, filmmaker and artist from Manipur

Guest Speaker : Chaoba Thiyam

Interview Location: Imphal, Manipur, India

Language: Podcast in Meitei-lon (Manipuri)

An interview with Chaoba Thiyam, filmmaker and artist from Manipur. He is a Pena player and has performed in many productions (Kwakta Lamjel) of Laihui. You would also find him playing Pena with Imphal Talkies. He shared many aspect about his work as a filmmaker, his journey of playing Pena giving us a glimpse of the life of an artist.  Most importantly he shared his personal experience of overcoming depression, sharing about finding and knowing oneself and being in the present.

And yet again, I was honoured to see our Guest Speaker sharing  their story from the heart.

Here are some of Chaoba Thiyam’s work: NUNGEE MIT / EYE OF AN “I” a film by Chaoba Thiyam , Black Pot and Movement , edited & directed by Chaoba Thiyam, Womb , Editor: Chaoba Thyiam

MI_5Born 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/