THE BEGINNING
Films
were first displayed to the public by the Lumiere Brothers to a paying public
in the basement of the Salon of Paris Grande Café on December 28, 1895. Cinema
in India established its forting on July 7, 1896 at the Watson Hotel in
Bombay.
Moving
Pictures came to Manipur in 1920s, two decades after the invention of cinema.
People called it “Basikop”(a corrupted expression of Bioscope). It became the
highest form of urban entertainment. Screening of films in Manipur was held at
the Royal palace, the cantonment hall (4th Assam rifles) and the
Victory Club hall, Babupara. During these days, peope witnessed silent movies.
Sound
film was screened in Manipur from 1936, not much later than the release of the
first Indian talkie “Alam Ara” on March 14, 1931. “Prahlad” a mythological fm
was firs screened at the ipur Talkie House which was popularly known as
kasturigee Hall as thye owner was Kasturi Chand Saraogi. It was situated at
place near present Hind Jalpan Hotel, Paona bazaar. Tickets were printed at the
Churachand printing Works, Sagolband Meino Leirak. Before long another cinema
house came into existence at Thangal bazaar and people called it Ramkumargee
hall. However, a prominent cinema house established before the war Diana Talkie
just on the very spotn of today’s Friends talkies. It exhibited pictures till
the day just before the bombing of Imphal on May 10, 1942. The last picture war Mei Hari.
Cinema
houses were rapidly set up in the 1930s. Sougaijam Nabakumar from Moirangkhom
constructed a cinema house called chitrangada at the place where the Manipur
State Road transport Corporation now stands. Dada Saheb’s Raja Harishchandra
was screened at this cinema house. A talkie house just to the north of
Singjamei Bazar was set up during the 1939-40 period. All the cinema houses
however ceased to exist at the outbreak of the war.
During
the years of war- between mid and late forties, Friends Talkies, Victory
cinema, MNB Cinema and Imphal Talkies were set up. However, MNB Cinema was
ultimately dissolved.
Manipuri
cinema began when MK Priyobrata made films of actuality in1936. He was
completely enchanted by the Charlie Chaplin films he had seen regularly at
Raipur where he received his school education in the 1920s. on his return to
Imphal and acting on thye advice of Col. Dr. Tylor, civil surgeon of Manipur
Hospital, MK Priyobrata purchased an 8mm movie camera and went on filming
socio-economic events and other happenings in the existing milieu and many
trips to places in and out of Manipur. His covering of Hiyang Tannaba is
textured with great imagination and expression. The films were shown to many
people in the palace. RK Joy showed the films at the Chitrangada Natya Mandir
Hall with tickets sold. The war and his becoming Chief Minister of Mnipur at
the end of the war made him turn away from being a film maker in his own
rights. Some of his short films are in archive of X-Cine Studio, Paona Bazar.
With
easy money coming from the war boom a few persons- Ayekpam Biramangol,
Sougaijam Nabakumar, Sinam Krishnamohol etc. tried their hands in producing a
film in 1946-47. Rathin Sen, an employee of Calcutta Commercial bank, Imphal
branch was collaborated to make all sorts of contact with Kali Studio, Calcutta
and necessary arrangements. Mainu Pemcha a famous play of Rupmahal theatre was
translated into Hindi by Bithal Das for making film out of it under the same
title. The prospect of marketability being the guiding factor, the film has
been done in Hindi. Thambalngoubi Devi played the title role. Laishram
Netrajit, Kangabam Gojendra, khwairakpam Momon etc. were other artistes in the
film. The film was made under te banner- Shri SHri Govindaji Film Productions.
Ultimately they could not go beyond nine reels due to lack of sufficient fund
for further investment. Some of the nine reels were screened as trailor at the
Victory Cinema and Imphal Talkies. Had the film been completed, it might have
been a milestone in the history of Manipuri Cinema and an impetus to the
emergence of early Manipuri cinema and film makers as well.
Kongbrailatpam
Ibohal Sharma, a professional photographer, took up the unsuccessful mission of
film making in the early period. Ibohal made seven silent features –
Ningthemcha Ahum(1960), Ichel(1961), Mongpham(1962), Cultural Heritage(1964),
Imphal Diary, part I&II(1965-68). He experimented and explored a vast range
of techniques only to find means of filmmaking indigenously and economically.
On
April 9, 1972, for the first time a full-length feature Matamgee Manipur was
released under the banner of K.T Films. It was produced by Karam Monomohan(aka
Karam Amumacha) and directed by Debkumar Bose. It bagged the President’s Award
in the National Film Festival of India in 1973.
Another
notable film which closely followed Matamgee Manipur was Sajatia Films
“Brojrndragee Luhongba” produced and directed by SN Chand. It was released on
14th July,1972 simultaneously at the Asha Cinema and Friends
Talkies. It bagged the Best Screenplay Award in the Manipur State Film Festival in 1984. It bears the immense
contribution and selfless service to Manipuri cinema by the film’s director SN
Chand. He quit attractive government service only to be a producer,
scriptwriter, music-director, singer, actor and director of Brojendragee
Luhongba.
Some of the
celluloid films made in Manipur.
1972: Matamgi
Manipur.(35mm B&W)
Produced by Karam Monomohan for K.T
Films Private Limited.
Story: Arambam Samarendra
Screenplay and Direction: Debkumar
Bose.
Music: Aribam Shyam Sharma
Cast: G. Ravindra Sharma, Yengkhom
Roma, Kangabam Birbabu, Kangabam Tomba,
Rashi,Indira, A. Lokendra etc.
The film bagged
the President’s Medal in the 20th
National Film festival in 1972.
:Brojendragee Luhongba. (35mmB&W)
Produced by SN Chand for Sajatva
Pictures.
Story: Lamabam Kamal
Direction, screenplay and music: SN
Chand
Cast: SN Chand, Romobala Devi
The film bagged
the Best Screenplay Award in the
first Manipuri State Film Festival
in 1984.
1974: Lamja Parsuram.(35mm B&W)
Produced by G. Narayan Sharma for NS
Films.
Story: GC Tongbra
Direction and Music: Aribam Shyam
Sharma
Casts: Kangabam Tomba, Yengkhom
Roma, Beda, Jugeshwar etc.
: Ngak-E-Ko Nangshe. (35mm
B&W )
Produced by Wangkhem Basanta for
Poonam Films.
Direction: SN Chand
Music: N. Pahari
Casts: Y. Mangibabu, Rajani
1976: Saphabee. (35mm B&W)
Produced by G. Narayan Sharma for NS
films
Direction and music: Aribam Shyam
Sharma
Story and screenplay: S. Bormani
Casts: Kangabam Tomba, Subadani
The film bagged the Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film in the 24thNational Film Festival in 1976.
1979: Khutthang Lamjel (35mm
B&W)
Produced by Thongam Haridas for A.T
Films
Direction, story and screenplay: GC
Tongbra.
Cast: O. Birla, Sobita Devi
1980: Olangthagee Wangmadasoo (35mm
B&W)
Produced by G. Narayan Sharma for NS
Films
Direction: A. Shyam Sharma
Story and screenplay: MK Binodini
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.
1981: Imagi
Ningthem. (35mm B&W)
Produced by Kongbrailatpam Ibohal
Sharma for X-Cine productions.
Direction: Aribam Shyam Sharma.
Story and screenplay: MK Binodini
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 National
Award for Best Child Actor (Master Leikendra).
The film participated in the New Director/ New Films at New York and several other International
Film festivals at Denver, Locarno, Momma
(New York), London, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal and Hong Kong.
The most notable of these International Film
Festivals was the Festival of Festivals
at Toronta in 1983. The film was screened at Filmosav ’82 in Calcutta.
The Film also bagged the Best Feature Film Award in the First
Manipur State Film Festival in 1984.
1981: Khonjel
(35mm B&W)
Produced by: Moirangthem Nilamani
Singh for Anjana Film
Direction and screenplay: M.
Nilamani Singh,
Cast: Moirangthem Ashwinikumar ,
L.Subadani.
: Wangma Wangma 35mm B&W
Produced by: Durlab for Eastern Star
Films,
Direction and screenplay: L. Banka
Sharma,
Casts: Iboyaima , Kanan, Sanayaima.
1983: Sanakeithel
(35mm B&W)
Produced by : Thoudam Dorendra for
A.T.B films International,
Direction, screenplay and editing:
M.A Singh
Casts: Memi, Master Toni, Somo
Anawali, Shanawas, Upen, Manaobi, Ibeyaima and Lalit.
The
film bagged the Rajat Kamal for Best
Regional Film at the 31st National
Film Festival in 1984.
:Paokhum
Ama (16mm Colour Short feature)
Produced by Film Divisions of India
Direction: Aribam Shyam Sharma
Story and screenplay: MK Binodini
Casts: Kangabam Tomba, Yengkhom Roma
and others.
The film participated in the Tyneside International Film Festival in 1983.
1984: Thaba
(16mm B&W short feature)
Produced by Kh. Sakhi Devi for Kay
Pee Films International
Direction:
K. Ibohal Sharma
Casts:
R.K Sushila, Prafullo
:
Langlen
Thadoi. (35mm colour)
The first full length
feature film in Manipuri.
Produced
by Kh. Sakhi Devi for Kay Pee Films International.
Screenplay
and art: Kh. Pramodini
Direction:
M.A Singh
Casts:
Wangkheirakpam Chandrasakhi, K. Tejmani and M. Lalit.
: Yairipok Thambalnu (35mm B&W)
Produced
by H. Gehendra Singh for Liberty Films
Direction:
L. Banka Sharma.
Story:
M. Ramcharan
Casts:
Kangabam Birbabu, Hemabati, Rajani, Ch. Nilbir, G. Robindro etc.
1986: Iche
Sakhi, (35mm colour )
Produced
by Thoudam Dorendra for A.T.B Films International.
Co-direction:
Th. Dorendra and Sanakhya Ibotombi
Story:
Th. Dorendra
Screenplay:
S. Ibotombi
Casts:
Sakhitombi, Ibochouba, Imobi, Oken Amakcham, Inakhunbi.
1989: Kombirei.(
35mm colour)
Written and Produced by G. Narayan
Sharma for N.S Films.
Direction and screenplay: G. Narayan
Sharma
Casts: Diya, Nirmala, Kanan,
Nabakanta, Keshoram, Tondon etc.
1990: Ishanou (35mm
colour)
Produced by Guwahati Doordarshan.
Direction and music: Aribam Shyam
Sharma.
Story, screenplay and costume: MK
Binodini
Casts: 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.
The film also bagged the Best Feature Film Award in the second Manipur State Film Festival in 1994.
:
Ingallei.
(35mm colour.)
Produced by M. Kumarjit for M.K
Films.
Story: Tejkumar
Direction and screenplay: R.K Kripa
Casts: Diya, Deben, Babita.
1991: Paap.
(35mm colour.)
Written and produced by M. Nilamani
Singh for Anjana Films.
Direction: M. Nilamani Singh.
Casts: M. Ashwinikumar, Sunanda,
L.Nirmala etc.
1992: Khonthang.(
35mm colour)
Produced by Thouyamba and Thoungamba
for P.K Films.
Direction: Oken Amakcham.
Story: R.K Banna
Casts: Devala, Rishikanta, Oken,
Rajen, Kishorjit etc.
The film was screened in the Indian Panorama section of IFFI 1993.
1993: Sambal
Wangma.( 35mm colour.)
Written and produced by Ph. Sobita
Devi for X- Cine Productions.
Direction and screenplay: K. Ibohal
Sharma
Casts: Khun Joykumar, Parvati, Star
Kamei, K.Jiten Sharma etc.
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 Manipuri State Film Festival
in 1994.
:
Thambal. (35mm colour.)
Co-produced by L. Surjakanta Sharma
and L. Vishnu Sharma for Pony Productions.
Direction and screenplay: R.K Kripa
Casts: Diya, R.K Amarjit, Indira,
Tomba etc.
: Madhabee.
First
Manipuri film in direct 35mm colour format.
Produced
by K. Bhupendra Sharma for K.B Films.
Story:
Lamabam Kamal
Direction:
L. Banka Sharma
Casts:
Diya, R.K Jnanranjan, Priya, Ratnamala, Bimola etc.
1994: Mayophygee
Macha. (35mm colour.)
Produced by Thouyamba and Thounagmba
for P.K Films.
Direction: Oken Amakcham.
Story and Screenplay: MK Binodini
Casts: Makhon Mani Mongshaba, RC
Joycee, Narendra Ningomba,etc.
The film bagged the Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film in the National Film Festival in
1995.
1995: Sanamanbi
Sanarei. (35mm colour.)
Produced by G. Narayan Sharma for
N.S Films.
Direction, story and screenplay: G.
Narayan Sharma.
Casts: Diya, Laimayum Nirmala,
Amarjeet etc.
: Sanabi. (35mm colour.)
Produced by National Film
Development Corporation and Doordarshan.
Direction and Music: Aribam Shyam
Sharma.
Script: MK Binodini
Casts: RK Sushila, Deven, Nobokumar
etc.
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.
: Khamba Khamnu. (35mm
colour)
Produced by Chandam Shyamacahram for
C.S Films Imphal Productions.
Script: Th. Nodia
Direction and screenplay: Ch.
Shyamacharan
Casts: Ch. Dhrabajit, A. Dema, Seema
etc.
1996: Kanaga
Hinghougani. (35mm colour)
Co-produced by Chan Heisnam and K.
Pramodini Devi for Bright Films Productiona and Shankar Films.
Direction: Chan Heisnam and
Bishwamitra.
Casts: Radhapyari, Seema, Diya,
Bishwamitra, Ahanjao etc.
1997: Khamba
Thoibi. (35mm colour)
Based on a story by hijam Anganghal
Produced by M. Nilamani
Direction: M. Nilamani
Casts: M. Amirkumar, M.
Ashwinikumar, Sarjubala and others.
: Chinglensana. 35mm colour
Written and Produced by Binapani
Thokchom for Bina Films
Direction:
Rajen Meetei.
Casts:
R.K Jnanranjan, Konika Khuraijam, Sanatomba, Rakesh.
1997:
Chinglensana. 35mm colour
Produced by Th. Binapani for Bina
Films
Direction: Rajen Meitei
: Iraal Oirage. 35mm colour
Produced by Chan Heisnam for Bright
Films Manipur
Direction: Ksh. Kishorekumar
: Yeningtha Amada. 35mm Colour
Produced by M. Nilamani/ M.
Ashwinikumar
Direction: M. Nilamani/ M.
Ashwinikumar.
1998:
Amambasu Anganbani. 35mm colour
Produced by Chan Heisnam for Bright
Films Manipur
Directed by Ksh. Kishorekumar
: Thawaigi thawai. 35mm colour
Produced by Thoungamba/ Thouyamba
Directed by Thoungamba/ Thouyamba
2001:
Thawanmichakna Kenkhrabada. 35mm colour
Produced by Chan Heisnam for Bright
Films Manipur
Directed by Ksh. Kishorekumar.
RISE OF DIGITAL FILMS
However a decisive turn in Manipuri cinema was
witnessed in the year 2000 due to the ban imposed on Bollywood movies by a
certain armed group of Manipur. The business of movie theatres was drastically
affected as they had to stop screening movies. The theatres were pulled down or
either converted into shopping complexes or used for other commercial offices.
And the void which was created by the disappearance of Hindi movies was
occupied by a new form of art which we now term as digital albums which gave
rise to the emergence of a new mode of films ¬the digital film. Unlike making a
celluloid film, to produce a digital movie was technically easier, faster and
cheaper.
On 24th May 2002 the first digital format film
“Lanmei” was released under the banner of ‘Kangla Films Manipur’. It was
released at Pratap Talkies, Paona Bazar Imphal. A second film called “Lallasi
Pal” was released under the banner of ‘Treasure Island’. Lallassi Pal is the first film which was fully
digitalised. Suddenly with the emergence of these digitally made films, film
makers stopped making films in celluloid which was not cost effective in the
poor economy of Manipur. In fact celluloid films became extinct in the state.
However digital films became immensely popular in the state and thousands of
digital films are produced in a year. Today, it has become so popular that many
producers and production houses have to wait for a long time to pass the censor
board. In 2007 the ‘Film Forum Manipur’ – an organization which has been
working with dedication for the development of digital cinemas in Manipur held
the ‘First Festival of Manipuri Cinema’ to encourage actors and other people
associated with the digital film industry. But unfortunately the Forum has not
been able to organize another Film Festival in the state due to the lack of
finances. This is largely due to the fact that the state government and other
organizations have not given any support to the Forum. Nevertheless despite the
lack of such festivals, innumerable films and video albums are produced in the
state in order to cater to the demands of the entertainment loving people of
the state. And hopefully the rise and development of these indigenously
produced films which showcase the diverse culture and tradition of our state
will make the state proud by winning laurels all over the world.
Very
few people know that Manipur is the first state in India to digitalize all the
stages of filmmaking right to the exhibition.
Some
of the successful digital films include Lammei(2002), Basantagee Nongallamdai(2006),
Inga Nonglakta(2006), Torei(2007), Lakhipurgee Lakhipyari(2007), Mami
Sami(2007), Naoshum (2007), Meera Memcha(2008), Nobab(2010), Phijigee
Mani(2011) etc.
The
rise and development of indigenously produced films showcase the diverse
culture and tradition of our state making it proud by winning awards and
laurels all over the world.
Mami
sami is regarded as one of the best ever made Manipuri films. The film Phijigee
Mani bagged the Rajat Kamal for the Best Regional Film in the 59th
National Film Awards in 2012. It also won the Best Supporting Actress Award (Tonthoinganbi).
Earlier,
digital films were not allowed to enter competitions and festivals. It is
because of the hard work of the Manipuri filmmakers that the government if
India allowed the entry of digital films in festivals and Indian panorama.
After
almost a decade, a celluloid film “Japan Lan da Imphal” was released on 24th
August 2012 at the MFDC Auditorium.
No.
of released digital films.
SL.NO
|
YEAR
|
NO. OF FILMS
|
1.
|
2002-2004
|
83
|
2.
|
2005-2006
|
78
|
3.
|
2007
|
59
|
4.
|
2008
|
65
|
5.
|
2009
|
63
|
6.
|
2010
|
62
|
7.
|
2011
|
56
|
