Art From The Heart

Thokchom Sony is blending modernity and tradition to create eye appealing artwork that is all the buzz on social media.

The thing about portraying Northeast India, be it in books or artwork, is that the focus tends to be mostly on the disturbed militant history. But, anyone born and raised in the region or residing here for the last decade or so realize that things are not the same anymore. So, we have to ask, where are the stories of men and women who remain rooted and yet have also moved forward with the times. This is where young artists like Thokchom Sony play a crucial part. Hailing from Manipur, his artwork is straight from the heart and relatable to the present generation. Colourful and thoughtful, one look at his work will help you understand why this artist is becoming so popular online. We find out more about him and his work.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you became interested in art?

I have always loved drawing and painting but I never thought I would become a professional artist. Our background is such that everyone takes art as a hobby but not a serious profession. After completing my higher secondary, I came to know that we can pursue bachelors and masters in fine arts. I insisted my family to allow me to graduate in fine arts. I came to Delhi, and now, it’s been 11 years living here.