Manipuri cinema turns 50, year-long golden jubilee celebration kicks off

April 9 is observed as “Mami Numit”, the day on which the first Manipuri feature film Matamgi Manipur was released in 1972.

TFM Report

Manipur celebrated the golden jubilee of Manipuri cinema on Friday. The year-long official celebration kicked off at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) complex, Palace Gate, Imphal East.

April 9 is observed as “Mami Numit”, the day on which the first Manipuri feature film Matamgi Manipur was released in 1972. Prominent stars of the silver screen of Manipuri cinema, those working behind the camera and cinefiles gathered at the complex on Friday, cherishing and celebrating the journey that began 50 years ago.

The day began with the unveiling of a memorial monolith of Manipuri Cinema at the MSFDS complex. Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, eminent film personalities and others paid floral tributes to the departed souls of the pioneers of Manipuri cinema.

In honour of the first Manipuri film director Sapam Nodia Chand (popularly known as SN Chand), a cine archive and museum was inaugurated by CM Biren Singh. It aims to preserve the film heritage of Manipuri cinema.

The man who took immense responsibility creating the first Manipuri feature film also attended the inaugural function. The director of Matamgi Manipur, Debkumar Bose, despite his health complications, came all the way from Kolkata.

The octogenarian passionately shared his experience while making the first Manipuri film. Elated to have been able to witness the golden jubilee, he almost broke into tears.

Debkumar said that finding artistes for the project was a difficult challenge as the medium was new to this part of the world. A six months workshop cum training session was conducted prior to the shooting. Although the artistes were immensely talented, they had never faced a camera before, he said. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Matamgi Manipur team.

He further recounted that many questioned on his decision to direct a film in a language he didn’t know of. “As my father Debki Bose always told me, lips just move, eyes do the talking and we understand the heart by looking in the eyes,” he added.

Wishing Manipuri cinema for more glory, Debkumar exhorted “Create film, don’t manufacture”.

A pioneer in Manipuri cinema who acted in Matamgi Manipur, Yengkhom Roma opined that Manipur despite being introduced to cinema in a latter period, its journey of cinema is a successful one from the very beginning, with Matamgi Manipur winning the President’s Medal and Imagi Ningthem becoming the first Indian movie to win the prestigious Grand Prix at the Nantes International Film Festival in 1982.

An emotional Roma also shared the experiences of shooting Matamgi Manipur in Kolkata in 1971 during the Indo-Pakistan war.

Sadly the doyen of Manipuri cinema, Aribam Syam Sharma could not attend the entire inaugural function. He came and paid floral tributes to the departed pioneers of Manipuri cinema. But had to return due to unavoidable circumstances. He was missed and was mentioned in almost all the speeches of the function.

Filmmaker Manju Borah from Assam argued that cinema being an universal language, has its own regional colour and through this regional colour only, the world audience can be attracted.

She maintained that the Northeast region does not have a sizable number of theatres and is still struggling when it comes to expanding audiences for its films.

However, despite all this and the turmoils shrouding the region, daring and passionate filmmakers continue to emerge from the region. The love for their culture and the desire to tell their stories of deprivation and anguish is the secret behind the success of NE films, she opined.

Film Heritage Foundation founder director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, who was present as guest of honour, stressed that every film producing state needs to have an archive of its own and celluloid films should be preserved.

Stating that so many negative prints of Manipuri films are at the custody of West Bengal Film Development Corporation, he urged CM Biren Singh to initiate the process to bring them back. He pointed out the need for preservation of film heritage and urged the chief minister to initiate a film heritage movement.

MSFDS secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum, in his keynote address highlighted that the celebration has been designed as an initiative to take Manipuri cinema to the next level of growth.

“A variety of events have been planned to enable Manipur become a cinema hub. While the government has approved the Manipur State Cine Policy last year, a Manipur Cine Commission has been constituted a few days back for judicious implementation of the policy to address the grievances of the film community,” he said.

Speaking as the chief guest of the inaugural function, CM Biren Singh, who is also the chairperson of the MSFDS, said that he is saddened on seeing the pathetic condition of the reels of old Manipuri celluloid films.

He said that lack of infrastructure and monetary support are major factors hindering the growth of Manipuri cinema in the international level. Nevertheless, we are striving for a good change. The museum and archive facility is encouraged and the government is ready to extend all possible support for promotion of Manipuri cinema, the chief minister assured.

After the opening function Matamgi Manipur was screened as the opening film of the yearlong celebration.

Pioneers and outstanding artistes were felicitated during the opening function where a golden jubilee souvenir was released and Chief Ministergi Artist Singgi Tengbang was also distributed to beneficiaries.

In the afternoon session, the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 were distributed.

Speaking during the occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba assured that he will urge the relevant ministry for setting up of a film city with outdoor as well as indoor shooting facilities in the state.

List of the winners of the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020

Lifetime Achievement Award – Ksh Rashi

Non-feature film category:

Best Film Award – Highways of Life

Best Editing – Biju Das (Highways of Life)

Best Director – Amar Maibam (Highways of Life),

Best Cinematography – Amar Maibam (Highways of Life)