By Sanjoi Thangjam – “An artist is not paid for his labour but for his vision”, said James Abbott McNeill Whistler RBA (1834–1903), an American painter who was a leading proponent of the credo “art for art’s sake”. His saying points to certain value found in all arts and the sharing of perspectives through the visual medium. However, in the context of Manipur, I can think of one artist whose life and times in unbelievable ways comes close to the lines uttered by James Abbott McNeill Whistler for this artist from the state had given scant attention to easy earning out of art but rather living for the arts as he perceives.

Laishram Phonindro Singh was born on February 15, 1942 at Awangjiri, a remote village located in the Imphal West District of Manipur. He is the 2nd son of five sons and a daughter born to L. Ibotombi Singh and late Henam ningol Laishram Bidhu Devi. Being born in an influential family, his siblings were exposed to the outside world from the early days. Since his childhood, he was interested in painting and other technical works. Due to many hardships his family had to face in the remote village, they shifted their home to Phoijing Chingmang Awang, Nambol in Bishnupur District and settled down there.

During his early years in Nambol High school, he was known by his teachers for his talent in arts and was assigned for the painting of the school activities, celebrations, etc. Under the guidance of one of his teachers late RK Modhusana, he decided to step forward in this field of art. Later he learned from RKCS and H Gouro singh in early school days.

He joint many students service camp held at many parts of remote village and hill schools under the guidance of the Education Director TN Bahuguna and the deputy Director Th Modhu Singh at Tungjoy in 1956. He was popular for making weather-cock and rain-gauge and deployed to the schools and colleges (1950 -1959). Phonindro was awarded in many competitions during his school days.

In 1958, he went to Nabadweep, West Bengal with his mother and there he painted the portrait of Rajrisi Bhagyachandra.

After completing his high school in Manipur, he was admitted to Government College of Arts and Craft, Calcutta in 1965 and completed 5 year G.D, Art (specialized in Life, Nature and Mural). During his graduation in fine arts, he learnt portrait painting from world famous artist like Atul Bose and many art Gurus of Bengal.

After graduation, he learnt sculpture at Sir JJ School of Arts, Mumbai and also completed M.A. Ed (Master of Arts education) from the same institute. This helped him a lot in imparting education and arts to the students. As part of his sculpture training, he learnt fibre glass moulding and casting from John D Mello in Mumbai.