Soma Laishram
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The sources of this article include
Compiled by Mayang, New Delhi, from sources including
James Khangenbam, ManipurTimes
Early life
Born on 5th Jan 1992
Parents: Laishram Mani; R.K. Tamphasana Devi
Siblings: two brothers and one sister
Height: 5'3”
Relationship Status: Engaged
Lives in: Sega Road, West Imphal
Education
Little Flower School, Imphal
Temple of Learning, Imphal.
BA English (Hons) G.P.Women’s•Nandigama (2011)
Presently working towards a master’s degree.
Early career
Dancing
At age six Soma started learning Manipuri classical dancing from, among other gurus, guru Thounaojam (Oja) Lata of Keishampat.
Television
As a 'child artiste' Soma acted in several television plays, after a Doordarshan, Imphal, executive spotted her talent. At a very young age, in 1999, when she was just seven, Soma started hosting a children’s television programme on Doordarshan, Imphal.
Later she hosted Manipuri Film Esei , also on Doordarshan, Imphal. Her association with Doordarshan as a program presenter continues to this day.
Her career as a news reader was cut short on the day of her debut because her father died of a stroke on that day, perhaps caused by the exhaustion of going to the market to purchase some components to repair the family’s television set. Shattered by the tragedy, Soma never read the news again.
This was when Soma was studying for her Council examinations. She agreed to accept film roles only after she passed her Council exams.
Modelling and beauty pageants
Neena Takhellambam, the noted choreographer, is Soma's cousin. She groomed her and helped her become a model. At the Miss Orange Queen pageant 2009 she was declared the Best catwalk. At 8th Mega Miss North East Beauty Pageant held at Guwahati in 2010 she was the 2nd runner up and got the Best traditional costume prize.
Pop music
Manipur Times informs us, 'Her first video album [was premiered] at Hotel Classic. Three designers were engaged for her solo album where she gave sketches to the designers for the costume designers.'
Angaoba Malang is a solo music album in which she sings and in the video of which she acts as well (as opposed to 'playback singing' for the actress who appears on the screen).
YEAR-WISE DEVELOPMENTS
2023
Imphal : An Imphal-based community organisation has barred Manipuri actorsinger Soma Laishram from movies and shows for three years, accusing her of taking the stage at an alleged beauty pageant in Delhi as a show-stopper in “defiance” of its appeal to avoid such events when Manipur “is still burning”.
Kangleipak Kanba Lup said on Monday that Soma, 30, did not heed the appeal even after it was directly conveyed to her through the Film Forum Manipur and Film Actors’ Guild Manipur. It alleged that the actor’s decision to attend the show was tantamount to showing “disrespect to the Meiteis who have died so far” in the ethnic conflict.
Soma clarified on Tues day that event in which she performed was a “NorthEast Festival” rather than a pageant. “As an actor and influencer, it is my responsibility to speak up about the crisis in Manipur and I chose that platform,” she said. The state film forum said it disapproved of restrictions being imposed on the actor and promised to help resolve the issue.
Cinema
Soma chanced into cinema because film producer RK Tamphasana lived in the same neighbourhood. Her mother’s sister informed Soma that Tamphasana was looking for a teenager for his film.
Select filmography
Phijang Marumda: Soma's debut film, as supporting actress; she plays a mild-manered career oriented MBBS (medical) student at Sikkim Manipal university.
First film as the leading lady: Loiba Tare Ta Raju.
By the end of 2013 Soma had acted in 27 films, with another four to be released in 2014. Some of these films are:
Pizza (a negative role)
Ang Tamo,
Lanpham,
Ani Ani Mari,
Hangam Maru Pokhaibi,
Thajagi Maihing
See also
Manipur: 1946-52 (Political history)
Cinemas of the North-East
Assamese cinema: This page has, at the bottom, links to several other articles in Indpaedia.com related to Assamese cinema.
Individual pages about:
Soma Laishram
