Among the crafts, making ornaments out of silk cocoon has also been a unique and thriving craft in the State. Shrimayum Gira Devi of Khurai Thongam Leikai is an innovative craftsperson of Manipur who successfully takes up the craft of making varied designs of lady ornaments like erring, necklace, rings etc under the brand Leima Liklang Nayin.
Nayin is a traditional earring of the Manipuri women. When the ornaments are made using the Kabrang silk cocoon, it then is known as Leima Nayin. The name is derived from the sayings connected with silk weaving using Kabrang cocoon obtained from Leimaram or Khurkhul village.
Innovative artisan Shrimayum Gira Devi (37) wife of Keithellakpam Ibochou, a resident of Khurai Thongam Leikai learnt the craft of making silk cocoon based ornaments once she along with 20 sericulture workers from Manipur took part in a five days training programme at the Central Sericulture Research and Training Centre in Mysore in September 2007. The trainees were taught the art of making cocoon based ornaments and garlands. After joining the training, she was highly motivated that she initiated her own entrepreneur endeavour in making various ornaments out of cocoon.
Focusing on the traditional values and with a thrust on innovation, Gita Devi has strived to bring out design products that appeals to her customers for their aesthetic and traditional values. Her gifted skill is evident in the manner in which she had crafted the erring Leima Nayin out of silk cocoon with an eye on potential local market.
She makes various lady ornaments like erring Nayin, necklace, ring, Khuji popchaobi, Kokhur, Marei Pareng, Likhom, Shandrembi, Bukul pareng, Khudop khoi Mahum etc under the banner Leima Liklang Nayin.
Manipur Government honoured the lady artisan by conferring State Craftsperson Award in recognition of her work in the craft recently. Earlier, she bagged inspirational award on October 17, 2013 in the competition held for selection of outstanding craftsperson of Manipur in the handicraft section (jewellery) for the year 2013-14 conducted by Directorate of Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur.
