Former defence minister George Fernandes signs the visitors? book at RCKS? residence as the painter looks on

Imphal, Nov. 24: Among rows and rows of paintings hanging neatly on the walls is one marked 13, depicting a princess with her sword drawn and about to strike a blow on the head of a man genuflecting on the floor.

The scene depicts an event in Ahom history, brought to life by the legendary Manipuri artist Rajkumar Chandrajit Sana Singh, better known as RKCS. The painting is also a living tale of Assam?s links with Manipur, which the artist is credited with reviving from the obscure pages of history.

RKCS passed away on Sunday in his Imphal residence at the age of 82, just a few hours before his last painting was presented to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the historic ceremonial handover of the Kangla Fort to the people of Manipur.

?The painting on Ahom history was very dear to my father because he took pride in reviving an almost forgotten chapter of history and putting it back in people?s memory,? the artist?s youngest son, Budhimanta, said.

Like his illustrious father, whose name is inscribed in the Limca Book of Records, Budhimanta is an award-winning artist. The family tradition of painting was started by his great-grandfather.

The painting by RKCS shows Meitei queen Kurangunayani slaying a rebel leader, Ragha Moran, who had usurped the throne of Ahom king Lakshmi Singha. The latter had ascended the Ahom throne in 1769 after the death of his brother, Rajeswar Singha, who was married to Kurangunayani, daughter of the Manipuri king Jai Singh.

Budhimanta said his father took delight in explaining the significance of the painting, particularly how the Meitei princess tricked Ragha into genuflecting and then struck the fatal blow.

RKCS? fascination for history also led to his most ambitious project, 72 exquisite watercolour paintings done over 10 years. The set of paintings ? covering the period 1709-1949 ? depicts the turning points in Manipur?s history. The novelty of the series was recognised in the 1994 edition of the Limca Book of Records.

Though he never hankered for honours and awards, RKCS was ?very pleased? with the appreciation his set of paintings received. ?Nothing gave him so much satisfaction as this set of paintings,? Budhimanta said. ?It was his crowning glory.?

During his lifetime, RKCS hosted anybody of consequence who happened to visit Imphal. ?It has almost become a tradition. From K.P.S Gill to former defence minister George Fernandes, almost all dignitaries who visited Imphal paid a visit to my father?s private gallery,? Budhimanta recalled.

In a page of the visitors? notebook at the gallery is a simple message: ?Thank you for sharing your talent and your sense of history. You bring us closer to Manipur and its people, in most glorious fashion. We love your works.?

The signature below the message belongs to Richard F. Celeste, the former US ambassador to India.

The book would certainly have had one more notable entry had fate not willed otherwise. On Sunday, the Prime Minister?s wife, Gurcharan Kaur, was scheduled to visit RKCS? residence. ?He passed away shortly before her scheduled arrival and the programme was cancelled,? Budhimanta said.