Kshetrimayum Ingocha Singh : Dress Designer :: A Profile
Daniel Chabungbam *
Kshetrimayum Ingocha Singh (L) : Dress Designer
Name : Kshetrimayum Ingocha Singh
Fathers' Name : Ksh. Jugeshwor Singh
Present Address : Haobam Marak Chingtham Leikai
Date of Birth : September 9, 1964
Designation : Tailoring and Designer
When you are in search for a dress designer or a tailoring master, you should not forget Kshetrimayum Ingocha, the man behind RESEACAF and the one who started this profession long back since 1978. He has the experience of working in dress making from 1978 to 1982. He worked in Sunflower as a dress designer from 1982 to 1985. He again worked in White House, Thangal Bazar as dress designer from 1986 to 2002. But now along with Suchitra Goswami established a centre called Research Self Employed Academy of Creative Art and Fashion in short RESEACAF where he is in charge of readymade garments designs and Suchitra (Iche Memi) in looking after handloom designs.
Kshetrimayum Ingocha studied upto class VIII but even as Mr. Ingocha was not able to received high degree of education in his studies due to circumstances that occurs in his family during his learning stage, he has somehow manage to complete various skills training at his own risk. The talents behind him encourage him to join a one year diploma in make-up from Make-up Training Centre of Rupamahal Theatre Complex before undergoing a six months course in Dress designing from Shillong.
Besides, Kshetrimayum Ingocha, got trained for three years and six months in cutting and sewing from NN Bros Tailoring in Mayang Imphal. The lack of his higher degree doesn't bother him to take up his interest to join this profession as a dress designer and tailoring. But the will and dedication within make him proud to be a part of this profession. His name could not left out when we talk about fashion industry of Manipur. So far, he has achieved a lot and he is still struggling.
Kshetrimayum Ingocha Singh (C) : Dress Designer
Individual awards received by Kshetrimayum Ingocha Singh
o Best Designer Award- Miss Manipur 2001
o Best Designer Award- Miss Manipur 2002
o Best Designer Award- Orange Queen 2003, Tamenglong
o Best Designer Award- Pineapple Queen contest 2009, Bunglon.
o Creative Works and Judgement- Sumang Leela Festival 2010
o Best Costume Designer 2008- Sanaleipak Nachom Artistes.
o Best Designer Award- Pineapple Queen contest 2011, Khuman Lampak
Apart from this individual awards, Ingocha Singh have earned his excellence by designing for various sumang leela and Manipuri digital films. Some sumang leela in which Ingocha was associated are Mem Sahebki Saree, World Trade Centre, Lidisigee Gulap, Devdas, Taj Mahal, Kunti-4, Kunti-5, Gusmao gi Khudol, Restaphen, Samballeina Kundo, Opium war, etc. He is behind in dress designing for the historic play of Manipur State Sumang Leela Council's joint production of Bir Tikendrajit which was shown on 13th August 2012 and 2013.
A Dress Designed by Kshetrimayum Ingocha Singh
And he also took the task of dress designing for the plays like Yairipok Thambalnu and Kangleipakta 1807. These plays were staged under the banner of Manipur State Sumang Leela Council being participated by artists from different sumang leela groups. Dress designing for Manipuri digital films like Lang, Matang Chabada Hairage, Laibakki Chandan, Angaobasu Thammoi Palli, Ei Lakle, Eigi Lutmila, Telanga Mamei, Ei Ngaode, etc. may be included in his contributions.
Ingocha is also behind various ramp shows in Manipur among them are:
RESEACAF Fashion Parade 2003 at Hotel Imphal
RESEACAF Fashion Parade 2004 at Asha Hall, Imphal
RESEACAF Fashion Parade 2005 at Rupmahal Theatre, Imphal
RESEACAF Fashion Parade 2006 at GM Hall, Imphal
RESEACAF Fashion Parade 2007 at Iboyaima Sumang Leela Shanglen
RESEACAF Fashion Parade in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 during Manipur Sangai Festival which is an annual event of Tourism Department of Government of Manipur. Besides, Mr. Ingocha Singh took an active role in organizing Manipur Fashion Week 2012 and Summer Collection 2013.
Kshetrimayum Ingocha Singh (C) at RESEACAF
Ksh. Ingocha Singh was the proud recipient of Dr. Ambedkar Fellowship National Award 2010 by Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademi on the occasion of 26th National Conference of Dalit Writers held on December 11 and 12, 2010 in recognition of service.
RESEACAF, under the joint efforts of Iche Memi and Ingocha have groomed students to achieve their desire in fashion designing and tailoring and also become self employed in various fields. Since its inception more than 1000 youths have undergone training in this academy. The academy imparts training to 25/30 students per batch while there is 2/3 batch per day. The pass outs have worked in others states while some could established their own designing centre.
Some of them were awarded at state level competitions among them is one Konthoujam Robi Singh who was awarded the Best Designer in Miss Pineapple Queen contest 2011. Robi is still assisting Ingocha at present. Tania, a student of RESEACAF was awarded the Best Designer in Miss Manipur contest in 2009 while another student Jinnat also awarded Best Designer award in Miss Chandranadi contest in 2008. And a student is also working in a designing centre in Kolkata.
Even though the academy is in lack of funds, the academy runs at its own without any financial assistance so far. It does not apply for any assistance. The academy receives orders even from outside the state to supply in bulk of various designs. Wedding gowns being designed from this academy is in great demand particularly in the hills besides the orders from outside the state.
In every marriage ceremony in and around Imphal, the wedding gowns were designed and tailored at Reseacaf. The academy that works whole year round presently employs about 12/13 people. As the academy receives a huge number of orders the capacity of production can be increased if the investment in increased apart from giving more self employment opportunities to the youths. But all these would not be possible without the help and support from the people said Ingocha Singh.
See a Photo Gallery of Dress Design by Kshetrimayum Ingocha :: Part 1