Bhopal, July 9: There are a lot of activities are going on at the National Museum of Man at Bhopal these days. So many efforts have been going on at the Museum. Uhakapa is being constructed here nowadays. It is a tradition of the tribals which is trying to protect here. Here 'U' means wood and ahakapa is called as traditional sculpture art. In other words the traditional wood art of tribals are being preparing here.

Uhakapa is an exhibition in which one can see the images of tribals of Manipuri. In this Manipuri tribes there is an art of making sculpture on wood. Total five tribes are included in it. Tankhul, Mau, Kom, Maram, Pomap are the tribes who are preparing U-hakpa. These tribes make sculpture on wood on their home, wall, gate of their village. Among these tribes the only Kom tribal make this art, but they don't use for their homes. This are is known as Saling and they use it near burial ground. When the head or senior of the village is died then it is necessary to erect a Saling near his dead body, this dead body is cremated and then exhumed after one year. And then the skeleton of head has been separated from his body and flaw it Rasi bear and his turban is tied on the head. After that rituals are performed. After this the head is put into a mud-pot and then cremated. This should be done in front of his previous cremation. Then a Saling is erected there. Pagdi or turban is the recognition of Kom tribe and wearing of turban after death is mandatory.

The work of sculpture for exhibition is completed at the Museum. Now it is time to colour it. These tribes only use three colours i.e. Black, White, and Red. The way to colour these sculptures are also very interesting. White colour is obtained by residue of burning of bones. To get Black colour they burn wood and the coal is used. And they use a different kind of flower for red colour. But the mud colours are used in the museum and will maintain it properly.

The entrance of village door of Mau tribe is also included in this exhibition. The sculpture of Tankhual tribe exhibits the wealth of human beings. Here meaning of wealth is that fellow is able to protect his village when in trouble. This scriptural door indicates the same. There are two stars on this scriptural door, in which one is for wife and other one is for husband. With this, the heads of five buffaloes are also in it, which shows their wealth.

Ultimately the cremation indicates that all ends one day definitely. Two types of wood are used in this exhibition. One is tairan which is red in colour. And the other one is uninthak, in which 'U' means wood and ninthak is King or King of Wood. Team of 12 members is pursuing this. And they have taken 10 days training in Imphal as well. Dr. RM. Nayal and Mr. Sakmachaji are directing and helping the programme and hope that it will be completed by 20th of July.