Hanjabam Radhe: from child bride to dress designer to Padma Shri

Hanjabam Ongbi Radhe Sharmi of Wangjing village in the Thoubal district of Manipur recounts her life’s journey from a child bride to a designer of traditional bridal dresses – in her own words.

I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the central government had chosen me for the Padma Shri award.  

I went to Delhi last year and received the award from the president of our country. I can never forget that moment in my life. 

My entire life and the struggles that I’d faced to popularise my work and run my family flashed before my eyes. 

I turned emotional as I felt that my efforts at conserving the art of potloi setpi – you know, it’s the traditional bridal dress of Manipur’s Meitei community – were finally recognised through this award.  

I remembered my life’s journey – from my childhood days in Samaram village in the Thoubal district where I was born in a poor family to this day when I’m 90. My father was a temple priest and my mother a homemaker. I was third among five children. 

I was married at the age of 13 and came to settle in Wangjing, around 3 kilometres from my house and in the same Thoubal district. 

My husband, Mani Sharma, was an astrologer and a good cook. But his income was barely enough to run our family of five sons and two daughters. 

I started learning potloi setpi after watching a woman in my neighbourhood doing it. 

At that time I’d opened a small tea shop in my village. 

But I was more interested in designing bridal dresses. I thought I could add more to the limited family income by making potloi setpi instead of selling tea. 

My husband was not very confident and feared that I wouldn’t be able to do it. But my parents-in-law were quite supportive.

I started to assist the lady who taught me the art. I worked with her as an apprentice for five years. I learnt all the intricacies of the trade.  

I decided to become a full-fledged designer when I turned 30. 

I used to get Rs 150 in those days for making the dress, which took 15-20 days to complete.  

This income helped me send my children to school. 

When my husband passed away 40 years ago, the entire responsibility of running the family fell on me. I worked hard for several hours a day. 

Besides bridal wear, I also designed dresses for raas leela classical dance and also for various festivals celebrated in Manipur.

I can no longer work with the same vigour because of my age and fading eyesight. My daughters-in-law design the dresses now. Still I work at my leisure time.  

I live with my four sons and 24 grandchildren. My eldest son passed away a few years ago. 

I’ve trained numerous artisans, who still seek my advice. I’m happy to share my knowledge. 

Despite the recognition, for several artisans like me, who toiled to promote Manipur’s culture, it’s a financial struggle. The government should give us a monthly pension during our old age.

Some new designers modify the traditional dresses to make them attractive. I feel we shouldn’t deviate from our age-old culture. 

Our culture is rich and has scope for new markets. I wish the next generation will carry on my legacy.