Neli Chachea: The Florist that makes beautiful Dolls out of Maize Husks

Bidyarani Thingujam *

Neli Chachea: The Florist that makes beautiful Dolls out of Maize Husks :: Pix - Lamdamba Oinam

People often throws away maize husks as it is of no use to anyone but for Neli Chachea of Songsong Village, Mao, maize husks are more valuable than gold for it is the only stuff she used in making beautiful dolls.

Neli Chachea, 38, is the daughter of Athuo Neli and Kholi Chisa of Songsong Village, Mao Gate, Manipur.

She has five brothers and three sisters. She had started her business of making dry flowers and dolls 14 years ago.

Her business also deals in selling fresh flowers. As for people, the husk and hair of maize are useless.

Neli Chachea used these husk and hair in making exquisite dolls and has drew quite a lot of customers since its inception.

The body parts of the dolls are made of maize husks and the hair is made by maize silks. The dolls are decked with suited dry flowers according to the designs desired by the customers.

Neli Chachea: The Florist that makes beautiful Dolls out of Maize Husks :: Pix - Lamdamba Oinam

Speaking exclusively to E-pao.net, Neli Chachea intimated that her business has found markets not only in the state but at Nagaland, Mumbai and other places.

She said, she participated in the 2nd International Flora Expo, 2007 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi organised by Media Today in association with Indian Flowers and Ornamental plants Welfare Association under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India and has been honoured for contribution.

Chachea added that she can complete 10-12 dolls per day approximately. She has participated in various expos in and outside state including Sangai Festival, 2017, and at Nagaland and Bhopal.

Neli Chachea said, she has also trained students in doll-making and flower and basket arrangements at Mysore and Bhopal.

People can find her beautiful dolls displayed at Horizon, Lamphelpat and Hilly Valley Manipur Handicrafts in Mumbai.

Neli Chachea: The Florist that makes beautiful Dolls out of Maize Husks :: Pix - Lamdamba Oinam

Chachea further said that her dolls were sold at Rs 200 up to 500 as per designs.

Remarkably Neli Chachea is a florist and is one of the producers of dry flowers at Mao Gate.

She had a store named 'Ideas Florist' at Mao Gate and all of her products were displayed at the store.

She added that she also deals in fresh flowers and it can be bought from her home and other selected places.

Now Neli Chachea is a successful entrepreneur and can make a decent income out of her doll-making and dry flower selling business.

Like Neli Chachea, one can make anything out of nothing if there is strong determination and perseverance.

Neli Chachea: The Florist that makes beautiful Dolls out of Maize Husks :: Pix - Lamdamba Oinam

See a full photo gallery of Neli Chachea here