1 April 1950
Longpi Kajui, Ukhrul district, Manipur, India
Traditional artisan
Longpi Hampai (Blackstone pottery)
Machihan Sasa (born 1 April 1950) is an Indian traditional artisan from Longpi Kajui village in Ukhrul district, Manipur. He practices the Tangkhul Naga craft of blackstone pottery, locally known as Longpi Hampai.[1][2][3] In 2024, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in recognition of his contribution to traditional arts.[4][5][6][7]
Early life and background
Machihan Sasa was born in Longpi Kajui, a Tangkhul Naga village historically associated with the production of blackstone pottery.[1] The craft of Longpi Hampai involves the preparation of a paste made from ground black serpentine stone and a specific variety of brown clay known locally as Ham-Ngalei. Unlike most pottery traditions, it is shaped manually without the use of a potter’s wheel.[1][8]
He acquired the knowledge of the craft from his father during childhood.[1]
Career
Sasa has been engaged in the practice and development of Longpi blackstone pottery for several decades.[1] He introduced utilitarian and decorative objects such as tea sets, kettles, bowls, water mugs, vases, flower pots, dining plates and cooking vessels.[1][9]
He has trained young artisans in the region, and several of his trainees have received State and National Awards.[1]
He has participated in national and international craft exhibitions representing Longpi pottery.[1]
Awards and honours
- All India Handicrafts Week (1979)[1]
- State Award (1986)[1]
- National Award (1988)[1]
- King Mela Medal (1997)[1]
- Shilp Guru Award (2008)[1]
- Padma Shri (2024)[1]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Padma Shri Award Citation – Machihan Sasa. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ↑ Ukhrul artisan Machihan Sasa receives Padma Shri. The Sangai Express(28 January 2024). Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ↑ Machihan Sasa honoured with Padma Shri. E-Pao(27 January 2024). Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ↑ Manipur’s Machihan Sasa among Padma Shri awardees. The Assam Tribune(26 January 2024). Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ↑ Ukhrul's Longpi pottery artisan conferred Padma Shri. India Today NE(26 January 2024). Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ↑ Manipuri artisan Machihan Sasa receives Padma Shri. Sentinel Assam(27 January 2024). Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ↑ Longpi pottery artisan Machihan Sasa awarded Padma Shri. NorthEast Today(26 January 2024). Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ↑ Change of art: See how three unusual Indian crafts are getting a reboot. Hindustan Times(27 January 2024). Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ↑ Want to teach black pottery to more youths: Machihan Sasa. The Indian Express(27 January 2024). Retrieved 12 February 2026.