When we talk of the black pottery of Ukhrul, one should not forget the traditionally popular Machihan Sasa son of (L) Sh Kuishiun Sasa, a resident of Longbi Kajui Village, Nungbi Khunnou, Ukhrul also known as Nungbi among the valley dwellers in Manipur’s Ukhrul district who won a National Award in pottery in 1988.
According to the National Awardee, raw materials such as serpentine and weathered rock of Longpi pottery collected from the Kaphungram and Sala areas are exposed to sunshine and powdered separately. Then the powder in a 3:2 ratio is mixed with water followed by shaping and placing in a cool place before the final step of firing. After proper burning is completed, the items are removed and sent for polishing with a local leaf ‘Machina’ or salt leaf to give them a black luster after which they are sent to the market.
Born in 1950, Machihan learned the rare craft from his own father late Kuishiun Sasa when he was just 20. “In those days villagers made fun of me as I started making pots when I was still a bachelor,” Machihan narrated.
For the first time, this Tangkhul craftsman demonstrated the process of making ‘Nungbi Chapu’ in a district level exhibition in Ukhrul town and won the first prize with a cash award of ` 25 in 1979. “I was so happy not because of getting the cash award but for being given the opportunity to market the products,” he said. “Otherwise I have to go to every village or colony to sell the pottery products,” he said.
He then started to train many interested villagers under the sponsorship of state authorities and other implementing agencies and till date, he has trained more than 300 individuals in his Nungbi village with a population of 1000 people. “Now most of them are able to make a livelihood by making ‘chapu’ (pots),” he says. Narrating the story behind his success, he said, “When I made a flower pot which I saw in my dreams, I was rewarded with positive results.”
The new design of flower pots hit the market all of a sudden which became very popular among the people and sold like hot cakes. One can say that those flower pots and the traditionally popular ‘Nungbi chapu’ are the most attractive items so far.
Being a successful master craftsman, all his three sons and his lone daughter have now also won national and state awards in pottery.
His youngest son Mathew Sasa is now the owner of a Nungbi Chapu outlet in the national capital’s Kidwai Nagar while his eldest son Phaningpham, daughter and district awardee Wanyola Sasa and Somi Sasa are also doing brisk business in black pottery.
Machihan was in Thailand for five days in March last year to attend the ‘Made in North East India 2010’ event held under the aegis of Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam with the support of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India at Fashion Island Shopping Mall in Bangkok.
This craftsman was the lone participant from Manipur though he was joined by 3 artisans from Assam and one each from Meghalaya, Mizoram and Sikkim during the six day exhibition cum demonstration of the items made in India’s Northeastern states.
Considering the plus point of using Nungbi pots as they are known for making tastier food besides being eco-friendly, comfortable and hygienic, Bangkok based Baan Sukjai Trading Limited has recently ordered 3000 pieces of glasses and 1500 pieces of tea pot sets costing around 12 lakhs Bahts or ` 17.8 lakhs.

Sobhapati Samom