IMPHAL, Sept 4: Nandaraj Nongmaithem, a student of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda has set his sights on sculpting the image of Irom Sharmila on wood as a dedication to the struggle of the “Iron Lady”.
Based at Gujarat and presently studying Master of Arts (Sculpture BVA), Nandaraj hails from Kakching and is the son of Jhullon Nongmaithem. Just 23, the young artist in an interaction with IFP said he will involve a professional photographer to take photos of various angles of Irom Sharmila to first study what the finished life sized image will look like.
In the regard, permission has also been sought from the family members of Irom Sharmila after meeting them at her residence at Kongpal Kongkham Leikai residence. It has not been decided where her wooden image will be placed after the completion but the finished work will be handed over to the Just Peace Foundation, he said. “The time of completion of the sculpture cannot be fixed at present as preparations inclusive of photographing her will take time. The cost of the work is also not known yet,” the artist said.