What defines one’s identity? Is it the words we read, or is it the faint footprint left behind in old photographs that exist in another world? A recurring question about identity is what defines one’s movement. For some, it is a journey of realising that we all have an identity from the time before we came down to Earth.
But the question is: where do we search for that identity? We cannot expect to find it all at once, but that does not mean we cannot gather it piece by piece. That is what I found myself thinking when I visited the 3rd exhibition of rare photographs and paintings of early Manipuri life by the Advanced Research Consortium Library & Archive (ARCLA) on Harinath Road, Singjamei Bheigyabati Leikai. The exhibition, titled “Journey into Manipur’s Past,” began on August 16 and runs until August 23.
The exhibition showcases a collection of 51 rare photographs and paintings preserved in the British Library. Beyond their visual appeal, what truly defines this collection is the experience of looking at our own past: how we lived, how we dressed, and how we looked between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From what I observed, calmness, excitement, and the occasional laughter that bubbled up from our souls when we recognised something of ourselves in those frames were what every visitor seemed to experience.
Once I entered the exhibition hall, the first photograph that really captured my attention was that of Manipuri polo players getting ready for a match. The perfect composition comes not only from what we see in the foreground but also from what quietly unfolds in the background: an unfinished early architecture of Manipur, faintly influenced by Western architectural design. Yet the polo players themselves appeared perfectly composed, all set to ride through a storm. The Western elements, which were alien to our society and might have been expected to shock us, did not seem to influence the polo players. What struck me was that the players were mounted on ponies, serving as a quiet reminder of the importance of the indigenous breed to our younger generation.
Related | Rare British Library photographs take visitors on a journey through Manipur’s past
Again, the primary subject of the exhibition was a photograph of a Manipuri polo player with striking features, captured in a striking lateral profile. What really drew me in were the chandan markings, which created a continuity with the hairline, paired with what looked like a familiar modern hairstyle characterised by long, layered waves of colonial-era grooming rather than the customary kokyet or protective headgear. His gaze was fixed intently on something outside the frame, likely a ball, giving him a quiet, uncompromising focus.
Many other photographs became part of a perfect combination of identity and the way early Manipuri ordinary life was expressed. Among the photographs that served as a refresher for visitors was that of a European family, likely captured in Imphal; a series of paintings depicting different communities engaged in daily activities; a Naga house; and a group of Manipuri men with traditional spears pointing towards a deceased tiger, an event that took place in 1870 during the reign of Maharaja Chandrakirti. Another photograph from the exhibition that captured my attention was of a boat race, while another showed Maharaja Kulachandra Singh gathering with his cabinet ministers, dated 1890. One image that stayed with me featured a large Utra with a traditional thatched roof, a structure that existed before 1891 and was later destroyed by the Great Cachar Earthquake of 1869.
A fascinating image, as we might call it, was the inked cross, which signified the execution of colonial officers within the palace grounds. Elsewhere, a photograph showed Loktak with colonial officers after a hunt; another was a portrait of a Manipuri lady expressing quiet emotion in black and white; and a significant ethnographic image documented Manipuri women with children. Each photograph, in its own way, made us remember who we were and made us walk into our own history in a very short, intimate moment.
Different people, different souls from different walks of life, and with different perspectives came together to find comfort in looking at and learning about these old photographs. What moved me most were the old souls who fought through the pain in their bodies after years of searching for pieces of their own identity, just to catch a glimpse of the collection. Families arrived together, with parents bringing their children for the experience, while the children, in turn, pulled their parents away from their mundane daily activities for this rare, shared moment.
Photography first arrived in Manipur in 1868 with R. Brown, after which many colonial officers and official photographers of the Maharajas began documenting everyday life. What truly inspired visitors to linger far longer than expected was the scale of what ARCLA has preserved in its own archive, with open access to the public. Among the collection, one should not miss the first photograph, which shows guards inside the palace temple gate.
Special thanks to the ARCLA volunteers, along with the curator, Rajkumari Miranda, and the facilitator, Ratika Yumnam, for organising the event. One thing that made me love the atmosphere was the people behind it. Young students, researchers, and creators from different fields came together under one roof to bring this exhibition to life in a very short span, with careful coordination and understanding. Much appreciation also goes to the co-curator, Cyrus Khumukcham, who was there to guide visitors with full energy and help them get the most out of the exhibition.
I would be remiss not to mention the arts and crafts on sale at the exhibition. From Subika Arts to postcards with distinct colours, each served as a small souvenir of the visit. What made my journey into the past more memorable was how warmly every visitor was received at Subika Art, a visual art form deeply rooted in our own culture.
If someone asked me, “Where can I find my identity in this world of chaos?” one thing would surely come out of me: it does not come looking for ways to reach you. We have to take responsibility for finding our own identity by seeking it out, searching for it, visiting it, and absorbing it wherever it is on display in our society.
And one thing is sure: this exhibition is a perfect place to begin recollecting our identity.
(The views expressed are personal. The author is an MA Student at Manipur University)
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