Manipuri Cinema

Revision as of 19:15, 9 June 2013

Manipuri Cinema

Ishanou (1990)

SEKMAI TUREL

Some milestones

Motion Picture or Cinema was first introduced in Manipur in 1920. The first Motion Picture theatres in the state were established in Imphal after the Second World War. Filmmaking in Manipur was pioneered by Shree Govindajee Film Company (SGFC) founded between 1946 and 1947. MAINU PEMCHA (1948) was the result of the first attempt at making films by the Manipuris.

The first full fledged feature film MATAM-GI MANIPUR was screened on the 9th of April, 1972 at Usha Cinema, Friends Talkies in Imphal and Azad cinema in Kakching. With the establishment of Film Society in 1966 , Imphal Cine Club in 1979 and Manipur Film Development Council (MFDC) in 1980, Manipuri Cinema got the required momentum and made an indelible mark both at the National and International level.

So far, nine Manipuri films have already bagged prestigious National Awards. The following Manipuri films were also screened in celebrated International Film Festivals around the globe. The following manipuri films were shown in Film Festivals on International level.

1. IMAGEE NINGTHEM

2. PAOKHUM AMA

3. ISHANOU

4. SANABI

5. SANA KEITHEL

6. SAMBAL WANGMA

7. KHONTHANG

The first Indian Film to get the Golden Montgolfiere at the "Nantes Three Continents Festival" was the Manipuri Film IMAGEE NINGTHEM (My Son, My Precious) directed by Aribam Syam Sharma and scripted by MK Binodini. Eight Year old Leikhendra Singh bagged the BEST CHILD ACTOR in India awards in the year 1982.

Manipuri films on celluloid

PURNIMA NGAIRAGE

PUNSHI CHUPPA

Manipuri Actress Gallery

manipuri-cinema

Year Title Producer Director

1972 Matamgee Manipur, Karam Manmohan Devkumar Bose

1972 Brojendrogee Luhongba, SN Chand SN Chand

1974 Lamja Parsuram, G Narayan Sharma A. Shyam Sharma

1974 Ngak-e-ko Nangse, Wangkhem Basanta SN Chand

1976 Saphabi G Narayan, Sharma A. Shyam Sharma

1979 Khuthang Lamjel, Thongam Haridas GC Tongbra

1979 Olangthagee Wangmadasu, G Narayan Sharma A. Shyam Sharma

1981 Imagee Ningthem, K Ibohal Sharma A. Shyam Sharma

1981 Khonjel, M Nilamani M Nilamani

1981 Wangma Wangma, Durlav L Banka Sharma

1983 Sana Keithel, Thoudam Doren MA Singh

1983 Paokhum Ama, Film Div. of India A. Shyam Sharma

1984 Thaba, Khaidem Sakhi Devi K Ibohal Sharma

1984 Langlen Thadoi, Khaidem Sakhi Devi MA Singh

1984 Yairipok Thambalnu, H Gehendra L Banka Sharma

1986 Iche Sakhi Thoudam Doren MA Singh

1988 Kombirei, G Narayan Sharma G Narayan Sharma

1990 Isanou, Gauhati Drsn A Shyam Sharma

1990 Engallei, M Kumarjit RK Kripa

1990 Paap, M Nilamani M Nilamani

1992 Khonthang, Thoungamba Oken Amakcham

1993 Sambal Wangma, Sobita K Ibohal Sharma

1993 Thambal, Vishnu/Surjakanta RK Kripa

1993 Madhavi, K Bhupendra L Banka

1994 Mayophigee Macha, Thouyangba Oken Amakcham

1995 Sanabi, NFDI/Drdrsn A. Shyam Sharma

1995 Khamba Khamnu, Ch Shyamcharan Ch Shyamcharan

1996 Kanaga Hinghouni, Chand Heisnam Chand Heisnam/Vishwamitra

1997 Sanamanbi Sanarei, G Narayan Sharma G Narayan Sharma

1997 Khamba Thoibi, M Nilamani M Nilamani

1997 Chinglensana, Th. Binapani Rajen Meitei

1997 Iraal Oirage, Chand Heisnam Vishwamitra/Kishore Kr

1997 Yenningtha Amada, M Nilamani/Ashwini M Nilamani/Ashwini Kr

1998 Amambasu Anganbani, Chand Heisnam Vishwamitra/Kishore Kr

1998 Thawaigi Thawai, Thoungamba Thoungamba/Thouyangba

erang.e-pao

Manipuri Feature Films Produced Between The Years 1972-1997

MFDC

1. Matamgi Manipur, 1972.35 mm B&W. Produced by Karam Monomohan for K.T.Films Private Limited. Based on a story by Arambam Samarendra. Screenplay and direction: DebkumarBose. Music: Aribam SyamSharma. Lyrics: Phulendra and M.K. Binodini. Editing: Madhu Banerjee. Sound recording: Bani Dutta. Playback singers: A. Kamala, Arambam Jamuna and A. Budhachandra.

Casts: G.Ravindra Sharma, Yengkhom Roma, Kangabam Birababu, Rashi, Indira, Beda, Kangabam Tomba, Arambam Lokendra, Aribam Syam Sharma, Amujao and Baby Ameeta with Joshi, Dr.Nara, Mangibabu, Bishwambhar, Landhon, Imo, Ibohanbi, Ashokekumar, Boinao, Momon, Binodkumar, B.N. Patnaik, P. Banerjee, Kanonbala, Bimola, L. Tamani, Memma and Purnamala. The film bagged the Presidents Medal in the 20th National Film Festival in 1972.

2. Brojendragee Luhongba, 1972. 35mm B&W. Produced by S.N.Chand for Sajatia Pictures. Based on a story by Lamabam Kamal. Direction, Screenplay and Music: S.N.Chand. Playback singers: S.N.Chand and Arati Mukherjee. Audiography: Anil Nandan.

Casts: S.N. Chand, Romobala Devi and others. The film bagged the Best Screenplay Award in the first Manipur State Film Festival in 1984.

A classic Manipuri film

3. Lamja Parsuram, 1974. 35mm B&W. Produced by G.Narayan Sharma for N.S.Films. Based on a story by Gitchandra Tongbra, Padmashree. Direction & Music: Aribam Syam Sharma. Script: E. Dinamani Singh. Lyrics: Phulendra. Playback singers: Shyam, KhunJoy, A.Kamala. Camera: Sankar Banerjee. Editing: Madhusudan Banerjee. Sound: Mani Rata. Make-up: Debi Haldar.

Casts: Kangabam Tomba, Yengkhom Roma, Beda, Jugeshwar, G.Narayan Sharma, Deven, Manglem and Rashi.

4. Ngak-E-Ko Nangshe, 1974.35mm B&W. Produced by Wangkhem Basanta for Poonam Films. Direction: S.N.Chand. Music: N.Pahari. Playback singers: N.Pahari, Y.Bilashini and Arambam Jamuna.

Casts: Y.Mangibabu, Rajani.

5. Saphabee, 1976. 35mm B&W. Produced by G.Narayan Sharma for N.S.Films. Direction & Music: Aribam Syam Sharma. Story & Screenplay: S.Bormani. Dialogue: G.Joykumar. Art: Swarnarjeet & Birjeet. Editing: Madhusudan Banerjee. Camera: Deojibhai & Madhusudan Banerjee. Sound: Amulya Das. Make-up: Sambhu Das. Playback singers: Shyam, KhunJoy, A.Jamuna, Leibakmacha, Ibetombi and Bimolata.

Casts: Kangabam Tomba, Subadani. The film bagged the Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film in the 24th National Film Festival in 1976.

6. Khutthang Lamjel, 1979. 35mm B&W. Produced by Thongam Haridas for A.T.Films. Direction, story & screenplay: GitchandraTongbra. Music; N.Pahari. Playback singers: N.Pahari, Geeta, Y.Bilashini and P.Chandrakumar.

Casts: O.Birla, Sobita Devi.

7. Olangthagee Wangmadasoo, 1980. 35mm B&W . Produced by G.Narayan Sharma for N.S.Films. Direction: Aribam Syam Sharma. Story & screenplay: M.K.Binodini. Music: Shyam & Khun Joy. Playback singers: KhunJoy, Hamom Naba, A.Jamuna and A.Shyam. Camera: Deojibhai Pandhiar. Sound: Tomba Sharma. Make-up: Sambhu.

Casts: Kangabam Tomba, Yengkhom Roma, Rashi, Keshoram, Tondon and Joykumar. The film bagged the Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film in the 27th National Film Festival in 1980.

8. Imagi Ningthem, 1981. 35mm B&W. Produced by Kongbrailatpam Ibohal Sharma for X-Cine Productions. Direction: Aribam Syam Sharma. Story & screenplay: M.K. Binodini. Camera: K.Ibohal. Editing: Madhusudan. Music: Khundrakpam I Joykumar.

Casts: Rashi, Ingudam Mangi, Bhubaneshwari, ) Indrakumar, Jamini, Memcha, Gayatri and Master Leikendra.

The film was awarded the prestigious Grand Prix at Nantes International Film Festival in France in 1981. It bagged the Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film in the 29th National Film Festival in 1982. It also bagged the National Award for Best Child Actor (Master Leikhendra). The film participated in the New Directors/New Films at New York, and in several other international film festivals at Denver, Locarno, MOMA (New York), London, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal and Hong Kong. The most notable of these international film festivals was the Festival of Festivals at Toronto in 1983. The film was screened in Filmotsav *82 at Calcutta. The film also bagged the Best Feature Film award in the first Manipur State Film Festival in 1984.

9. Khonjel, 1981. 35mm B&W. Produced by Moirangthem Nilamani Singh for Anjana Films. Direction and screenplay: M. Nilamani Singh. Lyrics: Thangjam Kora. Music & playback: N.Pahari. Costume & set designer: M.Ibempishak.

Casts: Moirangthem Ashwinikumar, L.Subadani.

10. Wangma Wangma, 1981. 35mm B&W. Produced by Durlab for Eastern Star Films. Direction & screenplay: L.Banka Sharma. Story & Lyrics: L.Shyamsunder Sharma. Music: A.Shyam Singh. Playback singers: A.Shyam, Y.Bilashini.

Cast: Iboyaima, Kanan, Sanayaima.

11. Sanakeithel, 1983. 35mm B&W. Produced by Thoudam Dorendra for A.T.B.Films International. Direction, screenplay & editing: M.A.Singh. Story & Music: N.Pahari.

Cast: Memi, Master Toni, Somo Anawali, Shanawas, Upen, Mahaobi, Ibeyaima and Lalit. The film bagged the Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film at the 31 st National Film Festival in 1984.

12. Paokhum Ama, 1983. 16mm colour. Short feature. Produced by Films Division of India. Direction: Aribam Syam Sharma. Story & screenplay: M.K.Binodini. Cinematography: K.Ibohal & Daoji Sharma.

Cast: Kangabam Tomba, Yengkhom Roma and others. The film participated in the Tyneside International Film Festival in 1983.

13. Thaba, 1984.16mm B&W. Short feature. Produced by Kh.Sakhi Devi for Kay Pee Films International. Direction: Kongbrailatpam Ibohal Sharma.

Cast: R.K.Sushila, Prafullo.

14. Langlen Thadoi, 1984. 35mm colour. The first full-length feature film in Manipuri. Produced by Kh.Sakhi Devi for Kay Pee Films International. Screenplay & art Direction: Khaidem Promodini. Music director: S.Tijendra. Audiography: Subhas. Camera: Suresh Patel. Playback singers: W.Chandrasakhi & S.Tijendra. Direction & editing: M.A.Singh.

Cast: Wangkheirakpam Chandrasakhi, Kongbrailatpam Tejmani and Moirangthem Lalit.

15. Yairipok Thambalnu, 1984. 35mm B&W. Produced by H.Gehendra Singh for Liberty Films. Direction: L.Banka Sharma. Story: M.Ramcharan. Screenplay: Sanatomba Rajkumar. Lyrics: B.Jayantakumar. Music director: N.Pahari. Playback singers: N.Pahari, A.Kamala.

Cast: Kangabam Birababu, Hemabati, Rajani, Ch.Nilbir, G.Robindra, L.Babu, Robir, Ibeyaima, Ibemni, Ibemhal, Biren, Tarakumar, Kh.Bihari, Brojen and Keshoram.

16. Iche Shakhi, 1986. 35mm colour. Produced by Thoudam Dorendra for A.T.B.Films International. Co- Direction: Th.Dorendra & Sanakhya Ibotombi. Story: Th.Dorendra. Screenplay: S.Ibotombi. Music director: Hamom Naba.

Cast: Sakhitombi, Ibochouba, Imobi, Oken Amakcham, Inakhunbi.

17. Kombirei, 1989.35mm colour. Written & produced by G. Narayan Sharma for N.S.Films. Direction & screenplay: G. Narayan Sharma. Lyrics: Konsaba Ibochou. Music: Aribam Syam Sharma. Playback singers: A.Shyam, KhunJoy and A.Jamuna.

Cast: Diya, Nirmala, Kanan, Nabakanta, Keshoram, Tondon, Chaoba, Chandro, Deben, Bidhu, Shettu, Nabachandra, Maheswar, Naresh Sharma, Preeti, Kabita and others.

18. Ishanou, 1990. 35mm colour. Produced by Guwahati Doordarshan. A still from Direction & Music: Aribam Syam Sharma. Script, screenplay and costume: Ishanou M.K.Binodini Devi. Sound: A.Shantimo Shrama & Durgadas Mitra. Editing: Ujjal Nandy. Cinematography: Girish Padhiar. Assistant cameraman: Ph.Sharatchandra Sharma.

Cast: Anoubam Kiranmala, Kangabam Tomba, Manbi, Dhiren, Baby Molly and Baby Premita.

The film bagged the Rajat Kamal for the Best Regional Film in the 38th National Film Festival in 1991 - The film was screened in the Indian Panorama section of the 22nd IFFI in 1991. The film bagged the Special Mention for the Main Actress (Anoubam Kiranmala). The film was the official selection in UN CERTAIN REGARD at the Cannes International Film Festival in 1991. The film participated in international film festivals at London, Seattle, Singapore, Toronto, Vancouver, Fribourg, Hawaii and Nantes. The film also bagged the Best Feature Film Award in the second Manipur State Film Festival in 1994.

19. Ingallei, 1990. 35mm colour. Produced by M.Kumarjit for M.K.Films. Story: Tejkumar. Direction & screenplay: R.K.Kripa. Music: KhunJoy. Playback singers: A.Shyam, A.Bimola.

Cast: Diya, Deben, Babita.

20. Paap, 1991.35mm colour. Written & produced by Moirangthem Nilamani Singh for Anjana Films. Direction: M.Nilamani Singh. Co-producer & Associate director: M.Ashwinikumar. Lyrics: Thangjam Kora. Music: Aheibam Shyam. Playback singers: A. Shyam, A. Jamuna and Nabachandra Sharma. Cinematography: Baidanath. Audiography: Valmiki. Editing: Prakasfi Kothare. Dialogue: Ibempishak Ningthoujam.Make-up: Swarnajit.

Cast: M.Ashwinikumar, Sunanda, L.Nirmala, Khonikar, Radharani, Medhajit, Rebati, Laiit, Master Tome, Master Amirkumar, Gulap Babu, Ibobi and Nilamani Sharma

21. Khonthang, 1992. 35mm colour. Produced by Thouyangb Thoungamba for P.K.Films. Direction: Oken Amakcham. Story: R.K.Banna. Screenplay: N.Rajen. Camera: L.Su-jakanta. Sound: Deepak Roy. Editing: Subrato Lahiri. Lyrics: Thangjam Kora & Kh.Pramodini. Music director: Thoungamba. Playback- singers: Devala, Thoungamba. Make-up: Magha. Lights: Brajachand, Surendra.

Cast: Devala, Rishikanta, Oken, Rajen, Kishorjit, Gunabati, Matouleibi and Master Boris. The film was screened in the Indian Panorama section of IFFI 1993.

22. Sambal Wangma, 1993. 35mm colour. Written & produced by Ph. Sobita Devi for X-Cine Productions. Direction, screenplay & lyrics: Kongbrailatpam Ibohal Sharma. Music: Khun Joy. Camera & editing; K.Bimol. Sound: A.Shantimo. Art: Kishorjit. Playback singers: KhunJoy, A.Bimola.

Cast: Khun Joykumar, Parvati, Star Kamei, K.Jiten Sharma, Ranibala, Lamaru Kamei, Tamphamani, Jelu Kamei, Bina, Nilamani Sharma, Chandra, Bhimo, Dinesh, Manao, Biren and Ranbir. The film bagged the Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film in the National Film Festival in 1993. The film also bagged the Best Screenplay Award in the Second Manipur State Film Festival in 1994.

23. Thambal, 1993. 35mm colour. Co-produced by L.Surjakanta Sharma & L.Vishnu Sharma for Pony Productions. Direction & screenplay: R.K.Kripa.

Cast: Diya, R.K.Amarjeet, Indira, Tomba, Keshoram, Chaoba, Mangi, Modhubala, Sandhyarani, Rashi and Indu.

24. Madhabee, 1993. First Manipuri feature film in direct 35mm colour format. Produced by K.Bhupendra Sharma for K.B.Films. Based on a story by Lamabam Kamal. Direction: L.Banka Sharma. Screenplay: L.Dhanachandra Sharma. Music: S .Tijendra. Playback singers: Udit Narayan, S .Tijendra, Anuradha Padwal, Sadhana Sargam, Usha Mangeshkar, Jayshree Sivaram, SunitibalaandBimola. Editing: Ujjal Nandy. Sound: A.Shantimo Sharma. Camera: Girish Padhiar. Art Direction: Dr. L. Kamini.

Cast: Diya, R.K.Jnanranjan, Priya, Ratnamala, Bimola and others.

25. Mayophygee Macha, 1994. 35mm colour. Produced by Thouyangba and Thoungamba for P.K.Films. Direction: Oken Amakcham. Story and screenplay: M.K. Binodini. Music: N.Tiken. Camera: Ph. Sharatchandra Sharma. Sound: A.Shantimo Sharma. Playback singer: Thoungamba Meitei. Assistant director: Ch.Manitomba Meitei. Lyric: Thangjam Kora. Editing: Ujjal Nandy. Make-up: W.Ibohal, N.Leninkumar & W. Homen. Light: Sonachand & Imocha.

Cast: Makhon Mani Mongshaba, RC Joycee, Narendra Ningomba, Bimola, Lourembam Pishak, Yengkhom Roma, W.Lalitkumar, Romesh and Chand Heisnam. The film bagged the Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film in the National Film Festival in 1995.

26. Sanamanbi Sanarei, 1995. 35mm colour. Produced by G.Narayan Sharma for N.S.Films. Direction, story & screenplay: G.Narayan Sharma. Music: N.Pahari & B.Jayantakumar Sharma.

Cast: Diya, Laimayum Nirmala, Amarjeet, Radharani, Vishnu Sharma.

27. Sanabi, 1995. 35mm colour. Produced by National Film Development Corporation and Doordarshan. Script: M.K.Binodini. Direction & Music: Aribam Syam Sharma. Cinematogfaphy: Sunny Joseph. Editing: Ujjal Nandy.

Cast: R.K.Sushila, Harongbam Deven, Takhellambam Nobokumar, Gurumayum Tomba, Heisnam Indu, Thokchom Jamini, Sijagurumayum Lala, Thangjam Iboyaima, Lourembam Pishak and Yumnam Kumar. The film bagged the Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film in the National Film Festival in 1996. It was screened in the Indian Panorama section of the 27th IFFI at New Delhi in January, 1996. It participated in the Cairo International Film Festival in December 1996.

28. Khamba Khamnu, 1995.35mm colour. Produced by Chandam Shyamacharan forC.S.Films Imphal Produuctions. Script: Th.Nodia. Direction, screenplay, lyrics, dialogue & costume: Ch.Shyamacharan. Camera: L.Surjakanta. Sound: A.Shantimo. Editing: Ujjal Nandy. Music: Ningthemjao & Goshe Meitei. Playback singers: A.Bimola, E.Netrajit, I.Pratima, Debadati, Keisamthong Kabui Youth Club. Make-up: L.Iboy aima.

Cast: Ch.Dhrabajit, L.Sophia, A.Dema. Ch.Shyamacharan, H.Seema, M.Chhatrabali and Jayanta.

29. Kanaga Hinghouni, 1996.35mm colour. Co-produced by Chand Heisnam and K.Pramodini Devi for Bright Films Productions and Shankar Films. Direction: Chand Heisnam and Bishwamittra. Screenplay & dialogue: L.Dhanachandra. Music: A.Shyam Singh. Background music: M.Kulla. Art Direction: Kishore Kumar. Cinematography: L.Surjakanta. Audiography: Chan. Editing: L.Surjakanta & Subrato Lahiri. Assistant camreaman: Momocha. Lyrics: EM Kay Jeet & Binatombi. Playback singers: Hamom Naba, Kunjabihari, Laishram Memma, Devala, Sarjubala, Bidyarani, Basanti and Baby Dolly.

Cast: Radhapyari, Seema, Diya, Bishwamittra, Ahanjao, Neera, Gunabati, Thanglen, Mangi, Oken, Dhanamanjuri, Sanjay and others.

30. Khamba Thoibi, 1997. 35mm colour. Based on a story by Hijam Anganhal. Produced by Moirangthem Nilamani Singh for Anjana Films. Direction: M.Nilamani Singh. Screenplay: M.Ibempishak. Music: A.Shyam.

Cast: M.Amirkumar, M.Ashwinikumar, Sarjubala and others.

31. Chinglensana, 1997.35mm colour. Based on the story Leimal Challabi. Written & produced by B inapani Thokchom for Bina Films. Direction: Rajen Meetei. Lyrics: K.C.Nanda & Huidrom Noren. Music: Jivan.

Cast: R.K.Jnanranjan, Konika Khuraijam, R.K.Sanatomba, Rakesh, Megha Chinshu, Firoz, Birjeet, Biren, Nepolian. Special appearance: Y.Parbati Devi.

Manipuri Cinema: Its Journey And Problems/ Part 1/ by Meghachandra Kongbam

The global film movement has now recognised the Manipuri Cinemn, a late arrival in the family of Indian Cinema, as a bright and promising star of the movement that has appeared from a zone of the Indian sub-continent rich in cultural heritage, yet to be fully discovered.

The Indian Cinema which caught up with the west in the first quarter of the present century had already made long strides in the global race while the Manipur film chapter saw the light of the day after the second World War thanks to the enterprising and committed band of forerunners of the movement in this State whose first venture was almost still-born.

They could not cross the Himalayan hurdles which included, absence of Market and infrastructure, paucity of funds and technical expertise and several essential ingredients inspite of the abundant cultural and artistic potential. The pioneers in the field did not lose heart. The result was that the sixties saw them active and the first Manipuri feature film MATAMGl MANIPUR produced in 1972 bagged the National Award.

After making maiden film show on the surface of the earth on December 28, 1895 in Paris, Lummier Brothers' Kinemtograph reached in India and the first public show in the Country was held at Watson Hotel in Bombay on July 07, 1896. The magical influence of the show struck the Indians and the Indian Cinema was boom in 1919.

With the release of Ardeshir Irani's ALAM ARA on March 14, 1931 at Majestic Hall in Bombay, the talkie era of Indian Cinema was faded in from the silent era. During the year 1931, India produced 27 talkie films including three Bengali films, one each of Tamil and Telegu films. In the neighbouring state of Assam, Jyoti Prasad Agarwal's JOYMOTI was produced and screened in 1935 as the first Assamese film.

Manipuri audience witnessed silent Indian movies in the 1920s through touring Cinema. Rudimentary and makeshift film show houses were established in Manipur a few years before the second World War. Kasturichand Jain and Ramkumar were the pioneer film exhibitors who ran show houses in Manipur in the pre-war period. Kasturi's show house Manipur Talkies and Ramkumar's show house in Imphal had regular film shows. Towards the end of the War, better organised cinema halls came up. The prominent among them were the MNB Talkies, Victory Cinema and Friends Talkies.

In the beginning of the Indian Cinema, exhibitors were the main patrons in making films. Likewise, the exhibitors in Manipur made their contribution to the film movement. Ayekpam Biramangal, proprietor of Victory Cinema had the dream to produce Manipuri film targeting the Manipuri audience. He along with eleven other shareholders set up Shri Govindajee Film Company in 1946-47 to make the popular play MAINU PEMCHA into film.

Later on, they switched over to making the first venture in Hindi as they were pessimistic about a viable market for Manipuri films. Imphal then had only three cinema halls. The maiden venture met with rough weather from all sides despite spending around rupees one and a half lakhs, and crashed midway. Selected pieces about nine reels of the fourteen reels completed were released uncensored and un-edited in the few cinema halls in Imphal. The tempo naturally died down to a low ebb for many years before a fresh enthusiasm was born long afterwards.

The simultaneous release of Matamgi Manipur at Usha Cinema and Friends Talkies in Imphal and at Azad Cinema in Kakching on April 9 in 1972 marked the beginning of an epoch in the history of Manipuri cinema awakening the Manipuri film goers into the reality of a Manipuri feature film for the first time. It was a black and white feature film, which may be an outdated one, where the colour films dominated the Indian cinema.

To make the film, the equipments and technicians where engaged from outside Manipur. Even the film director, Debkumar Bose, too. Thanks should be accorded to the bold producer Karam Monomohan who never looked back in pioneering the filmmaking without visualising any loss or gain onto the film. The colour era came only in 1984 when the first coloured feature film Langlen Thadoi directed by M.A. Singh was released.

During the short span of 25 years, Manipur had produced 28 feature films. Our film industry has not been able to pro duce even an average of two films a year. One, as such, should rightly wonder whether it should be called an industry at all though it has received many international acclaims. No one has come out as producer accepting the filmmaking as business, and profession. Most of the producers having failed to see any commercial prospect like to forget about the loss and gain side consoling themselves with commendable patriotic zeal.

Only a few who luckily got nominal returns from their films are making further ventures. Manipur has so far 18 film producers. Of them, only a few like G. Narayan Sharma, K. Ibohal Sharma, M. Nilamani, Thouyangba Thoungamba are still in the field, gain or no gain.

Manipuri cinema though it was bom late, sprang up like a brilliant upstart achieving flying colours overnight. It was the result of the film society movement which inspired the idea of good cinema to Manipuri filmmakers and artistes. The first film society of Manipur, Film Society Manipur, was established in 1966.

It organised both Indian and foreign film festivals in the State and discussions on films were organised regularly. It will not be an exaggeration to say that the first Manipuri feature film Matamgi Manipur which bagged the President's Gold Medal in the National Film Festival, was the good outcome of the film society movement.

In 1979 another film society, Imphal Cine Club was set up and it played an active role in the promotion of good films through regular screening of good films and holding film festivals, seminars and appreciation courses.

Aribam Syam Sharma's Imagi Ningthem bagged the prestigious Grand Prix in the Nantes International Film Festival in France in 1982. Out of 28 feature films produced so far, nine films had won national awards. A statistic view reveals that every third film produced in Manipur has won a national award. By and large, Manipuri films have surpassed other regional films in terms of quality inspite of the low costs and other handicaps.

In the major international film festivals, Syam Sharma's Imagi Ningthem, Paokhum Ama, Ishanou and Sanabi, M.A. Singh's Sanakeithel, K. Ibohal's Sambal Wangma and Oken Amakcham's Khonthang were screened.

Inspite of the many drawbacks in technical and infrastructural shortcomings, the thematic and aesthetic values of Manipuri films available in the fertile cultural soil of Manipur have made up the deficiencies. The Manipuri cinema has come of age and has the pride of place in the world cinema. In the non-feature film section, out of 28 non-feature films produced so far, 7/8 documentary films of Syam Sharma brought laurels to Manipur in national as well as international levels.

Manipuri Cinema In The Last Three Decades/ Bit Irom

Manipuri films have started gaining its momentum with a force since imposition of blanket ban on the screening of Hindi films in entertainment houses in the state. Screening of the Hindi movies have come to a grinding halt in this volatile border state despite reiterated appeals made by the successive Chief Ministers. This move has given fresh impetus to the film producers, artists and film lovers in the state. Proscribed Revolutionary People's Front, (RPF) the political wing of the banned People's Liberation Army (PLA) imposed the blanket ban on screening of the Hindi movies and other form of Hindi related entertainment programmes since November last year.

In the annals of the Manipuri film industries, 2001 will be yet another glittering chapter. Makhonmani Mongsaba's Manipuri feature film "Chatledo Eidi" has bagged the 48th national film award (regional language) for best feature film. This film retells a complex love story in a simple manner depicting of the natural beauty of the state. "Chatledo Eidi" is the first Manipuri feature film to win a national award in five years, the last such film being internationally reputed Aribam Shyam Sharma's Sanabi in 1996.

Manipur has completed three decades of its film annals with 54 feature films and 35 documentary/non feature films. "Matamgi Manipur" is the first Manipuri feature film. During this period of thirty years film industries in Manipur bring 9 international awards and 10 national awards.

Compared with the multi crore films in Mumbai and elsewhere in the country, the average investment for a film in Manipuri would be around Rs 15 lac. However, the people of the region should feel proud of the quality of Manipuri films of low budget evident from bagging several international and national awards.

In 1982 Imagi Ningthem (My precious son) bagged the Grand prix awards for best feature film in the festival Des Three Continents at Nanes in France and Best Child Actor award of National film festival - 1982. Another Manipuri Feature film - Ishanou won a special mention award for the Main actress - Selection officially in the Cannes international film festival, France, in the section Uncertain Reard 1991. This film also won the National award in 1991. Manipuri short film Pebet begged the Best Short Film (Non Fiction) in the international short film festival held in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1985.

The non feature film Sangai, the dancing deer of Manipur, bagged 5 awards for (1) Artistic Excellence in choreograph (2) Interpretation of an Animal's Spirit (3) delicate depiction of wildlife (4) Fostering cultural perspective of conservation (5) Inter relationship between animals and human being in the 12th International wildlife film festival of 1989 held at Montana. In the same festival, the Deer on the Lake, 16 mm documentary film won another merit award.

The need of film production, acute shortage of equipment and trained hands have been obstacles in the way of production of quality films in Manipur though several feature films were selected in the Indian Panorama (non feature film category). Manipuris give more stress on production of good films thematically and aesthetically.

The state Government has a film policy for giving financial assistance to film producers on the recommendation of Manipur Film Development Corporation Ltd. The quantum of assistance limited ranging from Rs 1,00,000/- to Rs 15,000/-. MFDC Ltd. came into existence on May one 1987 with objective of developing film industry in the state. It is engaged in setting up film laboratory, studio, production of Manipuri films, instituting awards and festivals for establishing institutes in film technology for helping film societies etc.

There is no state Government's plan/policy for giving financial assistance/loan for construction of cinema theatre, so far. There is no enough infrastructure of film production in terms of equipment, money (directly or indirectly given by the state Government) Studio, laboratory etc. Most of the Manipuri films are exposed, printed, processed and re- recorded at Kolkata or Chenai or Mumbai. These make more expenditure in transportation and communication. The overhead expenditure and capital invested become bigger.

The box office return of Manipuri films cannot make good the investment by producers. There is pathetic audience response to Manipuri films and the market inside and outside the state is so limited. Income derived from the exhibition of the films is generally not upto the mark. The producers cannot exhibit their films for a reasonable long period of time. Modern young cinegoers are pulled by commercial films. The largest cinegoers are the young peoples who are more interested in Hindi and English films.

More over, there is no concession in hiring cinema theatres for screening Manipuri films. When there is no profit in the box office, the exhibitors reject the screening of local/Manipur films putting the producer always at a disadvantage. There is no system of refund of entertainment tax to the producers in Manipur and the few benefit they would have got has been denied to them.

Manipur also needs trained and professional cine artists. Most of the cine artists are trained by the producers themselves. In case of women artists, sometimes, they entered into family life even before the completion of the film or they enter the same after acting one or two film(s). Hence every producer has to train artists at the time of production of new film de nuvo.

Manipuri film producers are facing the following main problems - (1) Financial problems (2) social problems (3) technical problems (4) lack of screening hall. Manipur needs to have a separate film financing agency which can give loan to film makers, film exhibitors, film distributors and any other concerns/films. There is as yet no scheme of film financing under MFDC Ltd. or the state Government. However, the central government entrusts such activities to the NFDC, Films Division, DD and some other banks. The important thing is lack of film screening hall. Manipuri producers have to approach the film exhibitions earnestly to get the timing/programmes of exhibition of their film. In Manipur most of the theatres are booked in series with English films. They can hardly get chunks in theatres only when the film distributors do agree to spare the time, they get hall.

Needless to say, the Manipuri film producers are inspired by the love of the medium and the art rather than for commercial consideration. The talent, the enthusiasm and the rich artistic resources found in Manipur can be well exploited to produce excellent films by augmenting the technical requirements and financial resources.

The other side of Manipur: Film-making and acting/ By Arijit Sen

In Manipur, away from the shadow of the gun there's another reality - a world of cinema, low budget films and gritty film-making. Only 13 films old, Leishangthem Tonthoi is the rising star of Manipuri cinema. This year, Tonthoi received the Rajat Kamal award for Best Supporting Actress at the 59th National Film Awards.

"We focus on the aesthetic value. Even I focus on the aesthetic value. We don't differentiate between high and low-budget films but aesthetic value," Tonthoi said.

Film shoots are increasing across the state. The state is slowly but surely putting itself on the Indian cinema map through its low budget films.

Acclaimed documentary filmmakers Bachaspatimayum Sunzu and Bona Mesihnam are working hard towards inexpensive, democratic products. Sunzu's 'AFSPA 1958' shook India and Mesihnam's powerful documentary 'Real' on HIV postive victims is at the archives of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Bachaspatimayum Sunzu said, "We have had a long history of story-telling behind us and it's only natural that we progress to new medium."

In 1972, the year of its statehood, Manipur got its first film screened at Imphal's cinema houses. But by 1999, underground outfit Revolutionary People's Front banned Bollywood films to prevent cultural invasion.

"The ban was a boost because people started to make local films. At that time people were making 70 to 80 films a year," Sunzu said.

Imphal's cityscape is dotted with film posters. Ignoring bans, almost zero electricity, violence and the shadow of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, every day some film-starved Manipuri picks up a film CD from the streets or ventures out to the crumbling cinema houses. With its young star cast, Manipur is determined to script its own story for the silver screen.

Culture of Censorship in Manipuri Cinema/ By R. Nithya, February 8, 2013

Cinema in Manipur has many similarities with the Bollywood flicks made in the expensive studios in Mumbai. But those similarities have not been recognized in the mainstream media. Manipur, like its other North-East counterparts, becomes imperative to mainland India only when the media sniffs fresh troubles from the centuries-old problems in the region. In Manipur, in particular, these media-attracting ‘attributes’ have been AFSPA and Irom Sharmila.

However, a cinema-lover, with his/her heart in exploring regional cinemas, would discover that Manipuri films have borrowed so much from Bollywood in the form of story and style. In Imphalwood (Manipur film industry), the movies are made by the Meiteis --the non-tribal Hindus-- in Manipuri language. After a period of Bollywood films dominating the cinema houses in Manipur, some clandestine organizations imposed cultural regimentation and banned screening of Indian movies there. The Film Forum of Manipur has also regulated itself on the lines of Manipuri culture, shunning everything that is not Meiteis.

"We have the Indian Censor Board in Guwhati. Other than that, we have two censor boards in Manipur. One is the Film Forum and the other is AMMIK (Apunba Manipur Matam Ishei Kanglup for music). If you make a music video in Manipur, first you have to send your lyrics and the song to AMIK. They’ll screen your song and lyrics, and give you a certificate. Once you have the certificate, you start making your music video. And once, the music video is done, you go to the film forum and they screen [the video] again. They give you a certificate and release it in the market or go to the local cable network for telecast." On the other hand, filmmakers send their films to the Film Forum where the Preview Committee will screen the film and give them a certificate if they approve it. Then the filmmakers go to Guwhati and get a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification.

Sketching the DOs and DON'Ts in Imphalwood, Oinam Doren stated that one "cannot use the words 'mummy' and 'daddy' in Manipuri cinema.” The words need to be replaced by Manipuri equivalents. He also said that filmmakers cannot give English or mainland Indian names to their characters, but only local Manipuri ones. The list of things which are banned in Manipuri films comprise commonly used items in mainland Indian films: saree, fake eyelashes, bindi, sindoor, kajal, mini skirts, backless costumes, and kurta pajama. Doren went on to explain why filmmakers in Manipur take the film forum seriously. He briefed the audience about an incident which took place about ten years ago in which a young woman was shot at by some people because she acted in an erotic film. Other people involved in the movie have either fled the state, or have been executed. A famous actress from Manipuri Cinema is banned from acting in the region’s movies because she recently acted in a Bollywood film. "Another famous actress is banned from acting in Manipuri cinema because she married a non-Manipuri," he said.

Mamta Murthy narrated her experience while making Fried fish, chicken soup & a premiere show. "I went to Manipur because I was commissioned to make a film on other independent cinemas in the country. I had a simple ambition. I just wanted to chronicle another independent cinema," she said. Describing how conflict permeates all aspects of society and life, she said that "not only does every aspect gets affected, but it almost gets defined by it [conflict]. A simple act of making popular film for instance becomes cultural assertion. And therein comes the concept of censorship by the film forum."

Her film follows a Manipuri film titled Kunti. Interestingly, the film has a mainland Indian name as its title. The Film Forum expressed their disapproval towards a character in the film who wanted to have chicken soup. Another point at which the Film Forum censured the makers of Kunti was when a couple in the film changes costumes in a song. The director had tried to explain to the Forum that in the beginning of the song the couple was dating and by the end of the song, they were married and had a child. Hence, a change in costumes. But because it seemed to have been inspired from Bollywood films, the Film Forum did not let it pass. Murthy said that filmmakers in Manipur tacitly support the Film Forum at least in the context of reclaiming the Meiteis culture. But "if you support it [censorship] at one level, it is going to come back and bite you at another level," she said.

Sanjay Kak, too, drew attention to "the eternal paradox of censorship" and said that filmmakers often believe that "censorship is good so long as good people are doing it, and censorship is bad when bad people do it." But what is to be understood is that censorship "is not a stick; it is a snake. It can turn around and bite you when it chooses to." Kak expressed that filmmakers regard the Film Forum because they believe it protects them from the street censorship, but the downside is that filmmakers hand over their right to decide to the people on the panel. Kak highlighted that one cannot make a case for free speech unless one is ready to listen fearlessly. "I might not like the lyrics of Honey Singh's song C*** but I am not going to ask for him to be banned. I am going to say that he should be exposed. Public displeasure should make him shut up. But this business of seeking to control is always something that is going to come back to haunt us."

L. Somi Roy, through his anecdotes, narrated his professional and personal encounters with censorship in relation to Manipuri cinema. Bollywood movies were banned in Manipur in 2000. When Roy went to Manipur after a long absence, he found that "all the cinema halls were shut down and had been turned into shopping malls. I came back the next year and Manipur digital film industry had started and there were 30 films being made. They were all copies of Bollywood. One of them was a shot-by-shot remake of Devdas starring Shah Rukh Khan in Manipuri costumes," he said.

Then in 2005, the Central Library was set on fire because all the books there were in Bengali script. In 2007, the Museum of Modern Art in the US had a screening of a series of Indian films called 'India Now'. Paban Kumar Haobam's A Cry in the Dark was one of the films in this series. "[It] is a horrific film about a protest against a rape case by the army in Manipur, and a man who self-immolated. My friends at the Museum of Modern Art told me that this film was requested by the Consultant General in Los Angeles for it to be dropped from the series. There was another film on the Gujarat riots that the Consultant General was also not comfortable with. So there was a bit of censorship on that side of the ocean as well," Roy said.

Roy has worked with the Film Forum on two different occasions during which he happened to witness the other side of Film Forum which stood up for the film fraternity. "I did a festival called 'Replay,' which is a film festival on sports and performance -- the two things that Manipuris are good at. And the second 'Replay' was almost cancelled because of an impending strike led by Film Forum.” The strike was an embodiment of support by the Film Forum for the film producers who were demanded an unrevealed sum of money by an armed guerilla outfit. “It’s a real mix bag,” Roy concluded.

Bimol Akoijam briefed on how film screening entered Manipur and how the Manipuris got into film-making. “The thought of having a Manipuri feature film was born to us in the late 1960s and it became a reality in 1972 and the first full-length Manipuri feature film was screened called Matamgi Manipur (Modern day’s Manipur),” he said.

The 70s was a successful decade in the Manipuri Cinema. A Manipuri film Olangthagee Wangmadasoo directed by Aribam Syam Sharma was as huge a blockbuster as Sholay. The 1980s brought a shift in Manipuri culture, led by Aribam Syam Sharma. “He abandoned his Bollywood-style song [and] dance, and he went on to make a very serious film named Imagi Ningthem,” he said. The 90s saw a decline in Manipuri cinema and “it was complicated by the emergence of very violent confrontations and multi-layered conflict in Manipur.” This is when Hindi films were banned. He further talked about the emergence of digital films in Manipur.

Akoijam pointed out that the Indian state never had censorship issues with Manipuri feature films because Manipuri filmmakers are not considered to be politically grounded. “There are images in the documentary genre which might disturb India... but again those are not deployed as critical vantage points,” he said. But talking about his in-production film, he said, “You have to be political when you make movies.”

Sanjay Kak concluded by saying that “you can fight censorship only when you have a relationship with your audience. The romance is the romance between the filmmaker and the audience which Bollywood recognizes but only via the ticket counter.”