Apart from sports and culture, Manipur is globally well-known for its handicrafts, an important skilled based cottage industry. It has its own unique identity amongst various crafts of the country. Handicraft industry can generate self employment for rural artisans. Hundreds of local artisans in the state are eking out a living by adopting various handicrafts like artistic textile, woollen shoes, Kouna craft, cane and bamboo, sculpture works etc. Among these crafts, doll making has become a thriving and lucrative business for many artisans.
30-year-old Soibam Birla Devi, D/o Soibam Ibomcha of Laipham Khunou, Imphal East is a well experienced Artisan in doll making. He started the occupation some 10 years back. With some financial supports from her family, she purchased materials like cotton, threads and needles, straw, colour sheets, ribbons, beads and other decoration items to start her doll making venture.
Showing her credibility in the field of doll making, Directorate of Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur honoured the lady doll maker with state award in 2007 for her craft “Radha”. The then Commerce and Industry Minister Y Erabot appreciated her work and even bought her dolls.
She makes dolls which showcase Manipuri culture and tradition such as Khamba-Thoibi, Sandrembi-Chaishra, Radha-Krishna, Bor-Keina, Ras-Lila, Ningol Chakkouba, Goddess Luxmi, Durga, fishermen, women selling vegetables and different ethnic groups. Her products are unique and that is the reason why it is in high demand. She keeps on incorporating with new innovative ideas in creating these dolls.
She alone works at her home and earns Rs 4000 to Rs 6000 per month with which she helps in supplementing her family income.
