User:Haoreima/Meitei cinema

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Meitei cinema
No. of screens80-100

Meitei cinema or Manipuri cinema, sometimes metonymously referred to as Maniwood, is the Indian Meitei language (Manipuri language) film industry primarily centered around the Indian state of Manipur. It is a part of the larger Indian cinema, the world's largest by number of feature films produced.

History[change | change source]

1970s[change | change source]

A scene from Matamgi Manipur

In the year 1972, the Meitei language (Manipuri language) cinema started its film making industry with a full black and white film Matamgi Manipur. Notably, it became the first Manipuri film to win the "President's medal" at the 20th National Film Awards.

In the year 1973, Brojendrogee Luhongba was produced. Notably a decade later, in association with the film, Sapam Nodia Chand (S.N. Chand) won the "1st Manipur State Film Awards 1984" in the category of "Best Screenplay".

In the year 1976, Saaphabee was produced. Notably, it became the first Manipuri film based on Meitei folklore as well as the first Manipuri film to win the Rajat Kamal (National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei) at the 24th National Film Awards.

1980s[change | change source]

In the year 1980, Olangthagee Wangmadasoo won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei at the 27th National Film Awards.

In the year 1981, Imagi Ningthem was produced. In the year 1982, it won the "Golden Montgolfiere" at the "Festival des 3 Continents", Nantes. It became the first Indian film to win a "Grand Prix Award". Besides, its prominent child artist Master Leikhendra won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei at the 29th National Film Awards.

In the year 1983, Sanakeithel won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei at the 31st National Film Awards. In the same year, Paokhum Ama became the first Manipuri short film to be produced in colour.

In the year 1984, Langlen Thadoi became the first Manipur full length film to be produced in colour and also the first Manipuri film to be produced by a woman.

In the year 1986, "Nonglei" became the first Video Home System (VHS) feature film in Meitei language.

1990s[change | change source]

In the year 1990, Ishanou (The Chosen One) was produced. Notably, it was screened at the Un Certain Regard section of the 1991 Cannes International Film Festival. Besides, it won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei and another award for Special Mention (for artist "Anoubam Kiranmala") at the 38th National Film Awards. A year later in 1991, renowned English film critic Derek Malcolm commented about the film in The Guardian:

"Perhaps the best film in the panorama, largely because it tells a good story with great honesty and lack of guile, came from the State of Manipur, where two or three directors have worked against all odds for a decade or more."

International award winning English-Australian film critic David Stratton commented about the film in the "Variety" based on New York on the 11th of April 1991:

"One of the best Indian films of the past year, "The Chosen One" looks though it’ll make its way on the international film circuit. Specialized art house release also is possible."

In the year 1992, "Khonthang" was produced. In the year 1993, it was selected for Indian Panorama of the International Film Festival of India, New Delhi. In the year 1994, it was invited to the Singapore International Film Festival. In the year 2008, the very film was shown in the Festival of Sparrow in Mumbai.

In the year 1993, Sambal Wangma won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei at the 41st National Film Awards. In the next year, in 1994, it was selected for Indian Panorama of the International Film Festival of India. In the same year 1993, "Madhabee" became the longest running Manipuri cinema, with a length of 197 minutes. It is based on the first novel of Manipur of the same title by Dr. Lamabam Kamal.

In the year 1994, Mayophygee Macha won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei at the 42nd National Film Awards.

In the year 1995, Sanabi won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei at the 43rd National Film Awards.

In the year 1997, "Khamba Thoibi" was produced based on the legendary Meitei language epic poem, the Khamba Thoibi, composed by Hijam Anganghal.

2000s[change | change source]

In the year 2000, Chatledo Eidi won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei at the 48th National Film Awards. In the next year, it was selected for Indian Panorama of the 32nd International Film Festival of India 2001. In the same year 2000 of the production of Chatledo Eidi, Paari became the first children's cinema in the Meitei film industry. It was produced by Children's Film Society, India.

In the year 2002, Lammei became the first Manipuri video film to have a commercial screening at theatres. It marked the beginning of a digital era in Manipuri cinema.

In the year 2007, Yenning Amadi Likla got entry into the "Feature Film" section of the Indian Panorama of the 38th International Film Festival of India 2007. In the next year 2008, it got entry into the "Feature Film" section of the Indian Panorama of the 39th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2008 and was among 21 selected feature films. Besides, it also got selected at the 2nd Hyderabad International Film Festival 2008.

In the year 2009, Nobap became the opening film at the 2nd Guwahati Film Festival 2009. Notably, it won 9 awards in the 7th Manipur State Film Festival 2010.

Keibu Keioiba (based on the mythological story of Keibu Keioiba) became the first animated film in Meitei language. It was produced in the year 2009. It got official selection in the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2010.

2010s[change | change source]

In the year 2010, Thoudang was produced. Two years later, in 2012, it was screened at the Second International Women’s Film Festival 2012, Shillong.

In the year 2011, Phijigee Mani won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei award in the 59th National Film Awards. It also bagged the Best Supporting Actress Award (for actress Leishangthem Tonthoingambi) in the 59th National Film Awards. It was also selected for the Indian Panorama 2011.

In the year 2011, Fried Fish, Chicken Soup and a Premiere Show, a Meitei-English bilingual film, won the National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film at the 59th National Film Awards. It documents the shooting and the production of "21st Century's Kunti". It also won the International Jury Award at the Mumbai International Film Festival 2012 and the Best Documentary Award at the 6th SIGNS Festival, Kerala 2012.

In the year 2012, Leipaklei won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei at the 60th National Film Awards. Notably, it got selected for the screening at the Jeonju International Film Festival, South Korea 2012, the 18th Kolkata International Film Festival and the 5th Guwahati Film Festival.

In the year 2013, Nangna Kappa Pakchade was produced. In the next year 2014, it got official selection at the 3rd Delhi International Film Festival 2014 and was screened at the Ladakh International Film Festival 2014 in the Indian Feature section. In the same year 2014, it received 7 awards in the 9th Manipur State Film Awards 2014. Three years later in 2017, it received the "Special Jury Award" with the title "Epic Mirror of the Century" in Kinshasa International Film Festival 2017.

In the year 2014, Nongmatang won 4 awards at the 9th Manipur State Film Awards 2014. In the next year 2015, it won 6 awards at the Sahitya Seva Samiti (SSS) Manifa Awards 2015, including the "Best Feature Film Award". It was screened at the 3rd Delhi International Film Festival 2014. In the same year 2014, Pallepfam was produced. It was screened in the 10th Habitat Film Festival in May 2015. Notably, it opened the 2nd edition of Fragrances from the Northeast, a 3-day festival of cinema from the Northeast. It got official selection in the 46th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2015 under the section New Horizon from the North East.

In the year 2015, Eibusu Yaohanbiyu was the winner of the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei at the 63rd National Film Awards.

The 2016 film Loktak Lairembee became the first Manipuri film to be certified by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) as a digital film. Loktak Lairembee is based on Sudhir Naoroibam's short story "Nongmei". It won the National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation at the 64th National Film Awards. It also won two awards at the 10th Manipur State Film Awards 2016 and 8 other awards at various international and national film festivals.

In the year 2018, Magi Matambakta It was selected for Bengaluru International Film Festival 2018, Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai 2020 and Delhi International Film Festival 2020. It won the award for the Best Manipuri Film in the 2nd Jharkhand International Film Festival Awards (JIFFA) 2019. It won 2 awards in the 12th Manipur State Film Awards 2019 and another 2 awards in the 8th SSS MANIFA 2019. In the same year, Ei Lakkhini won the "Best Director Award" at the Eurasia International Film Festival 2019, Moscow. It got official selections at the London International Motion Picture Awards 2019, the Rome Independent Prisma Awards 2019, the First Time Filmmakers Session 2019, U.K. and the Mozimotion International Film Festival 2019, Netherlands. In the same year, Laman Ama was selected in the 11th International Guwahati Film Festival 2018. It won 2 awards in the 12th Manipur State Film Awards 2019, 2 awards in the 4th Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards 2020 and 4 awards in the 8th SSS MANIFA 2019.

In the 2019, Nongphadok Lakpa Atithi was produced. In the next year 2020, it won four awards at the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020. It was premiered at the 3rd Guwahati International Film Festival as the Opening Film of the Indian Section. It got official selection in the 5th North-East Film Festival 2020, Pune and was the Opening Film in the 12th International Guwahati Film Festival 2020. In the same year, Pandam Amada was produced. It won 11 awards in the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020. At the 9th MANIFA Awards 2020, it won 4 awards out of the 14 nominations. It was world premiered at the 18th International Dhaka Film Festival held at Dhaka, Bangladesh from 11th to 19th January of the year 2020. It got selection among the 15 films screened in the Children's Film Section of the same festival. It also got selections in the 18th Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai and the Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival, 2020.

The 2019 film Eigi Kona won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei in the 67th National Film Awards. It was selected in the 51st International Film Festival of India (Indian Panorama) in the feature section. It was selected in the Indica Film Utsav 2020, 4th Ottawa Indian Film Festival Awards (OIFFA) 2021 and Thrissur International Film Festival 2021. It got 4 different awards in the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020.

2020s[change | change source]

In 2020, Eikhoishibu Kanano was premiered at the Jaipur International Film Festival 2020. It got official selection for the 8th Delhi International Film Festival 2020 and the India International Film Festival 2020, Pune. It won the award for the Best Film at 10th Dada Shaheb Phalke Film Award 2020 and also the awards for the Best Film - Debut and two other awards in the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020. Besides, it was the winner of the nine awards, including the Best Film and the Best Director at the 9th MANIFA 2020. It got official selection in the 8th Indian Cine Film Festival, 2020. It was the winner of the Best Film Award in the 10th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Award 2020, the Best Director Award in the 8th Indian Cine Film Festival 2020, 3 different awards in the 13th Manipur State Film Awards 2020 and nine awards out of 13 nominations in the 9th MANIFA 2020 organised by Sahitya Seva Samiti, Kakching.

In 2021, Nine Hills One Valley received Special Mention Award in the Film Bazaar Recommends Section of the Film Bazaar. In the FIPRESCI India Grand Prix 2021, it won the "2nd Spot in Top 10". It won 2 awards at the 14th Manipur State Film Awards 2022. It got official selection in the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival 2021, Indonesia. It entered into the India Gold section of the 22nd Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2022.

In 2022, Eikhoigi Yum got official selection at the 22nd Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2022. It was the opening film at the 1st Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival 2022. It won five awards in the 14th Manipur State Film Awards 2022.

International recognition[change | change source]

Internationally acclaimed Meitei language films include Aribam Syam Sharma's Olangthagee Wangmadasoo (1980), Aribam Syam Sharma's Imagi Ningthem (1981), Maibam Amuthoi's Sanakeithel (1983), Aribam Syam Sharma's Paokhum Ama (1983), Pebet (1984), Aribam Syam Sharma's Ishanou (1990), Lai Haraoba (1991), Khonthang (1992), K. Ibohal's Sambal Wangma (1993), Aribam Syam Sharma's Orchids of Manipur (1993), Aribam Syam Sharma's Sanabi (1995), Aribam Syam Sharma's Yelhou Jagoi (1995), Makhonmani Mongsaba's Chatledo Eidi (2000), Nongdi Tarakkhidare (2004), Haobam Paban Kumar's Ngaihak Lambida (2006), Makhonmani Mongsaba's Yenning Amadi Likla (2007), Nungee Mit (2008), Ilisha Amagi Mahao (2009), Thoudang (2010), Oinam Gautam's Phijigee Mani (2011), Mamta Murthy's Fried Fish, Chicken Soup and a Premiere Show (2011), Noong Amadi Yeroom (2011), Aribam Syam Sharma's Leipaklei (2012), Kaangkhada Lin (2012), Makhonmani Mongsaba's Nangna Kappa Pakchade (2013), Suvas E's Nongmatang (2014), Wanglen Khundongbam's Pallepfam (2014), Phum Shang (2014), Maipaksana Haorongbam's Eibusu Yaohanbiyu (2015), Eesing gi Machu (Colors of Water) (2015), Haobam Paban Kumar's Loktak Lairembee (2016), Ima Sabitri (2016), Makhonmani Mongsaba's Magi Matambakta (2018), Ei Lakkhini (2018), Sanad Aribam's Laman Ama (2018), Rajkumar Johnson's Fireflies (2018), Naapal (2018), Roopa Barua's Daughters of the Polo God (2018), Aribam Syam Sharma's Nongphadok Lakpa Atithi (2019), Oinam Gautam's Pandam Amada (2019), Bobby Wahengbam's Eigi Kona (2019), Motsillaba Mingsel (The Tainted Mirror) (2019), Ajit Yumnam's Eikhoishibu Kanano (2020), Nawa Seidum (2020), Haobam Paban Kumar's Nine Hills One Valley (2021), Haobam Paban Kumar's Pabung Syam (2021), Panthougi Liklam (2021), Class@6pm (2021), Romi Meitei's Eikhoigi Yum (2022), Erolnungdagi (2022), Meiram - The Fire Line (2022) and many others. These films won many international acclaims introducing Meitei language films to wide international audiences.

In 1982, Imagi Ningthem won the "Golden Montgolfiere" at the "Festival des 3 Continents", Nantes. It became the first Indian film to win a "Grand Prix Award". In 1991, Ishanou (The Chosen One) was screened at the Un Certain Regard section of the 1991 Cannes International Film Festival. In 1993, "Khonthang" was selected for Indian Panorama of the International Film Festival of India, New Delhi. In the year 1994, it was invited to the Singapore International Film Festival. Maibam Amuthoi's Sanakeithel was invited to the Singapore International Film Festival, 1984 and screened in the Indian Panorama of International Film Festival of India (IFFI), 1984. In 2015, Olangthagee Wangmadasoo was screened at the International Film Festival of India 2015 under the section A special retrospective on ace filmmaker Aribam Shyam Sharma.

National recognition[change | change source]

National Film Award for Best Feature Film[change | change source]

The cinema of Meitei language (Manipuri language) receives the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri, one of the National Film Awards given by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Directorate of Film Festivals, India. It was instituted in the year 1972 in the 20th National Film Awards for the first time as Meitei language is one of the official languages of India in accordance to the Indian Constitution.

List of films, showing the year (award ceremony), producer(s), director(s) and citation
Year Film(s) Producer(s) Director(s) Citation Refs.
1972
(20th)
Matamgi Manipur Karam Monomohan Singh Deb Kumar Bose  –
1976
(24th)
Saaphabee G. Narayan Sharma Aribam Syam Sharma  –
1979
(27th)
Olangthagee Wangmadasoo G. Narayan Sharma Aribam Syam Sharma  –
1981
(29th)
Imagi Ningthem K. Ibohal Sharma Aribam Syam Sharma
For its charm, simplicity and freshness of approach.
1983
(31st)
Sanakeithel Th. Doren M. A. Singh
For the sympathetic portrayal of a human relationship in the context of a social tragedy.
1990
(38th)
Ishanou Aribam Syam Sharma Aribam Syam Sharma
For effectively portraying the tragedy behind the institution of Maibi which unfortunately shatters a family.
[1]
1993
(41st)
Sambal Wangma Sobita Devi K. Ibohal Sharma
For correlating the integration of Man with Nature for the development of the human personality.
[2]
1994
(42nd)
Mayophy Gee Macha  • Thouyangba
 • Thoungamba
Oken Amakcham
For a simple story of a rural life in Manipuri handled with a deft mastery over the medium.
[3]
1995
(43rd)
Sanabi NFDC Aribam Syam Sharma
For its apt and poetic handling of the conflict between the traditional and modern values, knitted around a pony symbolically.
[4]
2000
(48th)
Chatledo Eidee Makhonmani Mongsaba Makhonmani Mongsaba
For narrating a complex love story in a simple manner and reflects the flavour of the land beautifully.
[5]
2011
(59th)
Phijigee Mani Takhelchangbam Ongbi Medha Sharmi Oinam Gautam Singh
For a sensitive depiction of the complex displacements that are occurring today in the North Eastern states. The director shows in the most graceful manner the consequences of displaced socio-political priorities which dislodge the young and disturb traditional family moorings and the even more ancient tribal societal systems.
[6]
2012
(60th)
Leipaklei Aribam Syam Sharma Aribam Syam Sharma
A simple story told in a straight-forward simple narrative highlighting social reality.
[7]
2015
(63rd)
Eibusu Yaohanbiyu Yunman Hitalar (Neta) Singh Maipaksana Haorongbam
A moving film about the victory of a differently-abled boy’s attempt to join a football team.
[8]
2019
(67th)
Eigi Kona Luwang Apokpa Mamikol Productions  • Bobby Wahengbam
 • Maipaksana Haorongbam
A thrilling film revealing the present plight and conditions of polo players and ponies in their place of origin.
[9]

National Film Award for Best Child Artist[change | change source]

The National Film Award for Best Child Artist includes 'Silver Lotus' (Rajat Kamal) and cash prize.

List of award recipients, showing the year (award ceremony), film(s) and language(s) and citation
Year Recipient(s) Role(s) Film(s) Language Citation Refs.
1981
(29th)
Leikhendra Singh Thoithoi Imagi Ningthem Meitei
For an endearing portrayal of a child and his yearning for a mother's love.
[10]

National Film Award – Special Mention (feature film)[change | change source]

The National Film Award – Special Mention (feature film) is presented with a certificate of merit.

List of award recipients, showing the year (award ceremony), awarded as, film(s), language(s) and citation
Year Recipient(s) Awarded as Film(s) Language(s) Citation Refs.
1990
(38th)
Anoubam Kiranmala Actress Ishanou Meitei
For a debut performance depicting various levels of conflict effectively.
[1]

National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress[change | change source]

The National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress is given with a "Rajat Kamal" (Silver Lotus) certificate and a cash prize of ₹50,000 (US$780) by the President of India at a ceremony held in New Delhi.

Year Recipient Role Work Language(s) Citation Ref.
2011
(59th)
Leishangthem Tonthoingambi Devi Yaipabhee Phijigee Mani Meitei
For the dignity and power with which L. T. Devi informs the character Yaipabhee in this tightly controlled Manipuri story.
[11]

National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film[change | change source]

Year Film(s) Language(s) Producer(s) Director(s) Citation Refs.
2011
(59th)
Fried Fish, Chicken Soup and a Premiere Show  • Meitei
 • English
Madhusree Dutta Mamta Murthy
For taking us on a journey that chronicles the struggle to produce films in strife torn Manipur and in the process painting a vivid canvas, which captures cinema in the state as a medium of popular culture.
[12]

National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation[change | change source]

Year Film(s) Language(s) Producer(s) Director(s) Citation Refs.
2016
(64th)
Loktak Lairembee Meitei Haobam Paban Kumar Haobam Paban Kumar
The film brings out the nuances of an environmental issue in a heart wrenching and touching manner
[13]

Bilingualism[change | change source]

Many Meitei language films have been made with another language simultaneously alongside each other as a part of the same project.

Meitei and English[change | change source]

Year Title Director(s) Ref
2011 Fried Fish, Chicken Soup and a Premiere Show Mamta Murthy
2013 Manipuri Pony (film) Aribam Syam Sharma

Meitei and Japanese[change | change source]

Year Title Director(s) Ref
2015 My Japanese Niece Mohen Naorem

Meitei and Portuguese[change | change source]

Year Meitei Title Portuguese Title Director(s) Ref
2017 Nura Pakhang Eu e Tu Romi Meitei

Meitei and Tamil[change | change source]

Year Title Director(s) Ref
1996 Language of War R.V. Ramani [14]

Meitei and Tangkhul[change | change source]

Year Title Director(s) Ref
2021 Nine Hills One Valley Haobam Paban Kumar

Actors and actresses[change | change source]

Actors[change | change source]

Actresses[change | change source]

Notable Directors[change | change source]

Related pages[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "38th National Film Awards (PDF)" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved January 9, 2012. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "38thawardPDF" defined multiple times with different content
  2. Cite error: The named reference 41staward was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  3. "42nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  4. "43rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  5. Cite error: The named reference 48thaward was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  6. Cite error: The named reference 59thnfadff was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
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  8. Cite error: The named reference 63rdaward was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  9. "67th National Film Awards, 2019" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  10. "29th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  11. "59th National Film Awards – 2011" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. 2011. p. 65. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 March 2014.
  12. "59th National Film Awards for the Year 2011 Announced". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India.
  13. "64th National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  14. http://www.ramanifilms.com/?page_id=6

Other websites[change | change source]