G Akshaykumar Sharma, the man who created the famous cartoon strip “Makar” in a local daily, brought back memories of 1950’s Imphal through his paintings on display, after 26 years, at a solo exhibition at the Art Gallery in Imphal East.
Akshaykumar said he tried to display the solo exhibition in 1998, but as he was occupied with the creation of “Makar” cartoons for a local newspaper he could only display his paintings after around 26 years.
The exhibition, which was held on Sunday-Monday at the Art Gallery of the department of Art and Culture in Imphal East, portrayed pictures of Imphal during the early 50s and late 40s.
One can easily imagine how the earthen pots were brought from villages at Nambul River and unloaded near the Thong Nambonbi near Khwairamband Keithel in Imphal and how women of those days sold 'bora' and later 'channa' at the bank of Nambul River at Khwairamband Keithel.
The street vendors of 1968 at Khwairamband Keithel and the scene of the Khwairamband Ima Keithel painted through oil canvas make one imagine how beautiful Imphal was in those days.
One of the oil canvases also showed the first observance of August 13 (Patriots’ Day) at Pheidabung by the students of Tombisana High School in 1958.
Today’s Pologround Pavilion was a one-time clean space surrounded by greenery in 1952.
Akshaykumar’s painting also tells stories of how the first and the last 'Hiyang Tanaba (boat race)' was held at Nambul River in 1954.
It was indeed a surprise for young visitors to see Nag River, a river where boat races were held during 1954 as today the river is no longer seen after it has been covered and converted into a parking space.
The inaugural function of the Solo Exhibition was attended by Lalit Kala Akademi Prof Thoidingjam Tombi Singh as chief guest; retired principal of Imphal Arts College L Modhuchandra as guest of honour while Prof Nongmaithem Tombi Singh presided over the function.
