Presenting the story of “Little Miracles”

How “Little Miracles” work wonders for this artist

  From working as a designer for “Gladrags” even before she finished design school to being one of the innovative minds who jumpstarted the Naga waist-coat trend, and finally coming home to work for Industries and Commerce Department, this artist’s life story is interesting and inspiring. Akangchila Longchar 1 But it is only this year, since February with the launch of “Little Miracles” that Kagholi Chishi’s artistic self is being truly discovered and celebrated by people. From intricate Naga rice plates, Hornbills, table tops, fridge magnets and wall hangs of various sizes to exclusive orders, she is creating a whole new array of ideas in the craft world. Her work is unique, particularly depicting the Naga way of life.   The concept behind Little Miracles, she said began with the realization that Nagas have so much to show but not to give. Daos and Spears have become monotonous gifting items and not very easy to travel with. I’m sure every Naga household possesses fridge magnets and wall hangs gifted or bought during travels outside. So I thought why not make local souvenirs which is small, light and portrays Nagaland. Akangchila Longchar 2 Why ‘little’ miracles? “People may ask why little…miracles are big! “While we wait for Big Miracles we miss out on all the Little Miracles that happen every day-if, we only choose to see it” she believes.   And to make these little miracles, she sits in her small workspace, what she describes as the godown left unused at her sister’s store at Supermarket, Dimapur. From 9 to 5 everyday, she is busy engrossed with crafting, molding, sculpting, and bead work. With no prototypes as such, she simply takes ideas from places she has visited and village scenes she has witnessed in her travels to the interiors of Nagaland. Displaying true craftsmanship, she makes everything from scratch, even doing the metal work, carpentry, bamboo and masonry herself. The result is imaginative and single pieces of art work. Not one item will be identical, there may be similarity but since these are handmade, every piece is unique and I’ll probably never ever replicate and make again, she said.   Scissor happy from the time she was a little girl, she recollects making her own clothes, and even a time when she made her own block heels! Rather carving one out, she laughs. She credits her creative nature to her mother who she says was very talented. To this, she adds, even all my siblings are also aesthetically inclined.   As only an artist can fully understand, she states that in a very nice era where people who are artists can make it big, parents need to be open-minded and understand a child’s aptitude and give them support. In fact, she suggests giving them inputs and assures “I know they’ll reach there. Somehow you always do…”. She also hopes that the Craft and Handloom sector in Nagaland go about ways to improve and instead of being stuck and pleased with the same old design and prototypes; dare to try out new things. “I’m saying this because I was also part of that for a while. I’ve been there too,” she admits.   As somebody who’s faced her own share of tough trials and tribulations life, she said, “Every soul gets back to the same place that they initially wanted to be. I’m there. And so no matter how educated you become or where you’ve been in the world, you still come back to the spot that you actually dream about. As late as it may be now, but then I would still say I’m in a really happy place right now. The soul searching part is over. I still will, but I know where my perspective lies now. That makes me a happier person any day. For once in my life I’m doing something I enjoy so much and I suppose at the end of the day, the little miracles have a bigger meaning.”
  Kagholi Chishi is a trailblazer in her own might. At a time, when people, society, government is looking for new, original ideas to put Nagaland in the map of the world, she is surely an inspiration and setting newer ideas to the younger generation of craft artisans and entrepreneurs to get out of the box and come up with their own unique brand of ideas.