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{{Short description |Indian sculptor (born 1955)}}
{{Use dmy dates |date=November 2025}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}

'''Oinam Mangi''' ''({{Script|Mtei|ꯑꯣꯏꯅꯥꯝ ꯃꯪꯒꯤ}}'', born 1955) is an Indian stone sculptor from [[Manipur]], India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Veteran stone sculptor still waiting for elusive Government loan : 30th nov19 ~ E-Pao! Headlines|url=https://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=18..301119.nov19|access-date=2025-11-05|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>
He has received the Bapu Sagat Jiban Award and the Dr Ambedkar Fellowship Award, in recognition of his contribution to sculpture art. His works are known for depicting traditional [[Meitei culture]], historical figures, and daily life.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Admin|first=IT Web|date=2014-11-27|title=Local stone sculpture attracts Sangai festival visitors|url=https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/local-stone-sculpture-attracts-sangai-festival-visitors/|access-date=2025-11-05|website=News from Manipur - Imphal Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Veteran stone sculptor still waiting for elusive Government loan|url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2019/11/29/IMPHAL-Nov-29-Stone-sculptor-Oinam-Mangi-70-of-Toupokpi-Maning-Leikai-under-Bishnupur-district-has-decried-that-the-State-Government-has-failed-to-give-a-positive-response-to-a-Rs-15-crore-loan.amp.html|access-date=2025-11-05|website=www.thesangaiexpress.com|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=features channel >>Endangered art of Lamangdong stone bowls and Toupokpi sculptor By Phanjoubam Chingkheinganba ~ E-Pao! News About Manipur|url=https://e-pao.net/epPrinter.asp?src=features.Endangered_art_of_Lamangdong_stone_bowls_and_Toupokpi_sculptor_By_Phanjoubam_Chingkheinganba.html..|access-date=2025-11-05|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Mangi was born in [[Toupokpi]] Village, [[Bishnupur district, Manipur]], as the son of Ibonungshi, a professional stone carver. His father specialized in creating utility items such as chakri (stone rice grinders) and mortars. From an early age, Mangi was inspired by his father's work and began practicing stone carving while his father was away.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
Mangi's father initially opposed his pursuit of stone sculpture due to the low income from the profession, encouraging him instead to continue his studies. Mangi completed education up to [[Tenth grade|Class X]] and also finished a [[Hindi Ratna]] course.
He works with the support of his wife, three sons, a daughter, and other assistants. Stone sculpture provides his primary source of income and supports his family.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

== Career ==
Mangi began practicing stone sculpture in 1980, following his father's footsteps. He has created numerous statues, busts, and memorial stones over the years.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> His works include:

* [[Mukna]], a traditional Meitei wrestling game
* Statues of twenty-one Indian leaders
* [[Khambana Kao Phaba]]
* [[Irom Sharmila]]
* Shampot Khoiba Loumi, a farmer tilling a field with bulls
* Statues of breastfeeding women
* Monuments of historical figures such as Paona Brajabashi, Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, and Hijam Irabot
* The statue of poet Dr Lamabam Kamal, planned for installation in March 2026<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

He has displayed his sculptures in the Manipur [[Sangai Festival 2014]] organized by the Manipur Tourism Department.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

== Work process and materials ==
Mangi sources stones from Laimaton Hill at Old Cachar Road. Sculptures are created at his home with the help of assistants. The number of workers varies according to project size, ranging from five to over a hundred, with daily wages of Rs 1,000.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Prices for his sculptures vary: a passport-size carving costs Rs 75,000, while a life-size statue costs Rs 1.6 lakh. He produces carvings for customers within Manipur and from other regions, including Myanmar.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

== Recognition and awards ==
Mangi has received around fourteen awards for his creative work.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
* Bapu Sagat Jiban Award
* Dr Ambedkar Fellowship Award<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

His wife, Bilashini, is also a sculptor and has contributed to promoting his work.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Mangi has stated that he has not received substantial support from the State Government. He applied for a Rs 15 crore loan to purchase a sculpting machine, which he believes would increase efficiency and quality, but the government has not responded.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

== Challenges and advocacy ==
Mangi has highlighted several challenges in his work:

* Manual carving is time-consuming and prone to errors
* Lack of government support for modern machinery
* Pending pension application despite crossing the age of 60<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

He has expressed the importance of stone carving in preserving [[Meitei culture]], noting that forefathers engraved history on stones, and this tradition continues to promote the art and culture of the state.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

== Notable projects ==
* Carving six twelve-foot pillars for the [[Manipur University of Culture]], each representing different communities<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
* Sculptures of prominent historical and cultural figures in public spaces<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

== See also ==
{{Portal|Biography|India|Visual arts}}
* [[List of Indian artists]]
* [[List of sculptors]]
* [[Oinam family]]
{{Clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mangi, Oinam}}
[[Category:Date of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male artists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian sculptors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male artists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian sculptors]]
[[Category:Artists from Manipur]]
[[Category:Indian male sculptors]]
[[Category:Meitei people]]
[[Category:People from Bishnupur district]]
[[Category:Stone sculptures in India]]

Oinam Mangi - Revision history

Thereforedesignpune: made initial article v1!