Manipur: An award-winning drum maker works to preserve an endangered craft
Manipur traditional drum maker to be selected for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2019, believes that unless attention is paid to people who produce the musical instrument
Shaikhom Surchandra Singh, the first Manipur traditional drum maker to be selected for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2019, believes that unless attention is paid to people who produce the musical instrument, its popularity may decline in the coming days. The 41-year-old would get the Sangeet Natak Akademi award for his services to 'Pung' (traditional drum) creation.
Shaikhom regrets that the art form has been "ignored" by the state in terms of recognition and help. Pung (drum) is at the heart of practically all traditional Manipuri arts, especially 'Nat Sankirtan.' However, he claims that various gurus and individuals involved in the creation of the musical instrument have received little credit due to a "lack of exposure and assistance." "It is extremely rare for a drum manufacturer to get these honours and other forms of recognition, as many in the profession have previously been overlooked. The state government's Art and Culture department made an exception, recognising the significance of drums in practically all traditional Manipuri art forms and recommending our names for the award "He stated.
The craftsmanship involved in manufacturing the percussion instrument has gotten less respect than other performing arts, despite the fact that it gives the necessary sound, beat, and rhythm to dance and music, according to the drum maker. "We want to keep this art form alive since it is part of our cultural legacy." As a result, government recognition and assistance, such as the establishment of drum shops and the provision of loans for the purchase of materials, would go a long way toward preserving it.
"I began following the skill of creating Pung as a child because my grandfather and elder brother were interested in it after inheriting the know-how from our forebears," Shaikhom told PTI. The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar is given to artists under the age of 40 to encourage and identify excellent young talents in many categories of performing arts and to provide them with national recognition early in their careers.
"Drum making is a complex and lengthy procedure needing rigorous scrutiny and skill during manufacture," Shaikhom said, adding that it often takes three to four days to make a traditional pung. Shaikhom, who is originally from Heirok in Kakching district, has been resident in Bamon area in the state capital town since 2005, where he makes traditional drums and trains apprentices in the skill. "Local jackfruit, Indian cedar (Tairen), and Wang trees are utilised to make the drums, while leather, especially that of buffaloes and Mithun, is obtained from select Muslim traders and Marring tribe members," he explained.
He lamented the craftspeople's grim future, saying that the number of people taking up the art form has fallen fast, reducing demand for traditional drums. "Right now, four to five of us work together in our work shed from early dawn until late night, and each instrument sells for roughly Rs 15,000," Shaikhom explained. "We usually build traditional drums after obtaining orders from artistes and students of Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy Manipur because we don't have a shop where we can display our work," Shaikhom, who has repaired the drums (Pungs) of famed artiste R K Singhajit Singh, explained.
(source : PTI)
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