endangered-manipuri-subika-art-to-be-showcased-in-washington-dc

The endangered traditional Subika art of Manipur is set to gain international visibility with an upcoming exhibition in Washington, D.C., showcasing efforts to revive the rare manuscript painting tradition rooted in the Meitei community.

Titled “The Revival of the Forgotten Art of Manipur: An Exhibition of Modern Subika Art”, the exhibition will be held from May 9 to May 19 at Gallery 16Ten, according to a joint release by The Kolorbox and the Advanced Research Consortium Library & Archives.

The exhibition will feature over 20 works by artist Sapha Yumnam, an assistant professor at the Department of Fine Arts, Manipur University, who has been at the forefront of reviving and reinterpreting Subika art for contemporary audiences.

Subika is a rare manuscript painting tradition historically preserved in 18th and 19th-century texts dealing with subjects such as astronomy, cosmology, divination and ritual practices. Traditionally created on handmade paper and agarwood bark manuscripts—locally known as korbek or puya—these artworks were written in the old Meitei script.

The upcoming exhibition aims to reintroduce Subika as a living cultural expression by blending traditional techniques with contemporary artistic approaches. Through modern interpretations, the works engage with indigenous mythology, cultural memory and key historical narratives of Manipur.

Yumnam’s work has played a significant role in this revival, transforming Subika from a manuscript-based practice into a contemporary visual form. His illustrated works on Manipuri mythology and folklore reflect an evolving artistic language while remaining rooted in tradition.

The exhibition is curated by historian Wangam Somorjit, Director of ARCLA, which is also working on a digital repository of early Manipuri manuscripts, including Subika paintings, to improve accessibility.

Somorjit said Subika represents a layered cultural history shaped by cross-regional influences, noting that while only fragments survive today, they embody a complete visual language that continues to evolve.

Priyananda Soubam, co-founder of The Kolorbox, said the initiative aims to amplify artistic voices and bring lesser-known art forms like Subika into broader cultural discourse.

The exhibition marks a significant step in bringing global attention to a fading yet culturally rich artistic tradition from Northeast India.