An endangered traditional art form from Manipur is set to gain global attention as Subika art, rooted in the Meitei community, will be showcased at an upcoming exhibition in Washington, D.C..
Titled “The Revival of the Forgotten Art of Manipur: An Exhibition of Modern Subika Art,” the event will be held from May 9 to May 19 at Gallery 16Ten. The exhibition is being organised jointly by The Kolorbox and the Advanced Research Consortium Library & Archives (ARCLA).
The exhibition will feature more than 20 artworks by Sapha Yumnam, an assistant professor at the Department of Fine Arts, Manipur University. Yumnam is known for his efforts to revive and reinterpret Subika art for present-day audiences.
Subika is a rare form of manuscript painting from Manipur. It was traditionally preserved in manuscripts from the 18th and 19th centuries. These works often dealt with subjects like astronomy, cosmology, divination, and ritual practices. The paintings were created on handmade paper and agarwood bark manuscripts, locally known as korbek or puya, and written in the old Meitei script.
The upcoming exhibition aims to bring this traditional art form back into public view by presenting it in a modern format. The artworks combine traditional techniques with contemporary styles, while still reflecting indigenous mythology, cultural memory, and historical narratives of Manipur.
Yumnam’s work has played an important role in this revival. Through his paintings and illustrated books on Manipuri folklore, he has tried to give Subika a new identity while keeping its roots intact.
The exhibition is curated by historian Wangam Somorjit, who is also the director of ARCLA. The organisation is working on building a digital archive of early Manipuri manuscripts, including Subika paintings, to make them more accessible to the public.
Somorjit said that Subika art reflects a deep cultural history shaped by different influences over time. He noted that although only fragments of the tradition remain today, they still represent a complete and evolving visual language.
Priyananda Soubam, co-founder of The Kolorbox, said the initiative is aimed at bringing lesser-known art forms into wider discussions and giving them a larger platform.
