The Meitei people, Meetei, Manipuri people are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group native to Manipur. They form the largest and dominant ethnic group of Manipur in Northeast India. They speak the Meitei language, one of the 22 official languages of the Republic of India and the sole official language of Government of Manipur. The Meiteis primarily settled in the Imphal Valley region in modern-day Manipur, though a sizeable population has settled in the other Indian states of Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. There is also a notable presence of Meitei people in the neighbouring countries of Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Meitei ethnic group represents about 53% of Manipur's population.
Surja Bala Hijam, better known as Bala Hijam is an Indian actress, who predominantly appears in Manipuri films. She is best known for her lead role in Malayalam road film, titled Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi .
Soma Laishram is an Indian actress and singer who appears in Manipuri films. She is a native of Imphal, Manipur. Nurei, Hoo Chaage, Loibataare Ta Raju, and Chanu IPS are some of her famous movies. In September 2021, Laishram joined the Republican Party of India - Athawale (RPI-A) and assumed the post of state unit president of its youth girls’ wing.
Nangna Nokpa Yengningi is a 2015 Manipuri film directed by Ajit Ningthouja, written by Herojit Naoroibam and produced by Th. (O) Bedamani Devi, presented by Poknapham. It stars Bonium Thokchom and Soma Laishram in the lead roles. The film was released on 6 November 2015 at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT).
Amukta Ani is a 2014 Manipuri film directed by Romi Meitei and produced by Jenny Khurai. It stars Bala Hijam, Roshan Pheiroijam and Sushmita Mangsatabam in the lead roles. The story of the film was written by Laishram Santosh and Thoi, and screenplay by Romi Meitei and Laishram Santosh.
Sanagi Tangbal is a 2014 Manipuri film directed by Bijgupta Laishram, produced by Bordini and presented by Sania. It stars Gokul Athokpam and Bala Hijam in the lead roles. The story of the film was written by Bordini, and screenplay by Bijgupta Laishram. The film was premiered at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT) on 29 April 2014. It was later released in different theatres of Manipur including Pratap Talkies, and the film was a 2014 hit Manipuri film.
Tabunungda Akaiba Likli is a 2013 Manipuri film directed by Romi Meitei and produced by Barun. It stars Gokul Athokpam, Abenao Elangbam, Hamom Sadananda and Artina Thoudam in the lead, with Deky, Dhanapriya, Priyogopal, and Modhubala portraying supporting roles. It is a love triangle film. The film was premiered at Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) on 21 September 2013. It was also premiered at Dussehra Ground Mukherjee Nagar, New Delhi on 28 September 2013.
Hamom Sadananda is an Indian actor and singer who predominantly appears in Manipuri films. He is a resident of Sega Road, Thouda Bhabok Leikai, Imphal, Manipur. He has acted in more than 100 Manipuri films. Besides acting and singing in films, he also performs Manipuri Sankirtana on various Manipur occasions.
Mr. Khadang: Animals are Human is a 2017 Manipuri film directed by Chou En Lai and produced by Laishram Premila, under the banner of Anouba Maikei Productions. It stars Gurumayum Bonny in the title role. Mr. Khadang won the Best Feature Film Award at the 7th SSS MANIFA 2018. It was released at Range Ground, Yaiskul on 1 October 2017. It was also premiered at Shankar Lal Auditorium, North Campus, University of Delhi, on 20 August 2017.
Romi Meitei is an Indian film director, screenwriter and lyricist who works in Manipuri films. He is a recipient of several awards at film festivals organized in India and abroad, including a National Film Award.
The Khamba Thoibi Sheireng, also spelled as the Khamba Thoibi Seireng, is a Classical Meitei language epic poem based on the ancient love story of Khuman prince Khamba and Moirang princess Thoibi of Ancient Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak. It is the magnum opus of Hijam Anganghal, the "Bard of Samurou". It is regarded as the national epic of the Manipuris. It is regarded as the greatest of all the epic poems in Meitei literature, with 39,000 verses, thereby being the third longest Indian epic poem, next to the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
Aronba Wari is a 2020 Manipuri film directed by OC Meira and produced by Rajkumari Nalini Devi, under the banner of Seuti Films. It stars Shilheiba Ningthoujam, Suraj Ngashepam, Bala Hijam and Sushmita Mangsatabam in the lead roles. The movie is based on Sarungbam Binodini Devi's novel Minoktugi Marumda. It was initially slated to be released on 21 March 2020 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was premiered on 11 October 2020 at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Imphal.
Khurai Angaobi is a 2019 Manipuri film written and directed by Sudhir Kangjam. It is produced by Jugeshori Sairem under the banner of Sairem Art Creation. The film stars Soma Laishram, Gokul Athokpam, Biju Ningombam and Hamom Sadananda in the lead roles. The movie was premiered at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT) on 5 October 2019.
Lanphamda Ibeni is a 2012 Manipuri film directed by Romi Meitei and produced by Bandana Maisnam under the banner of Bandana Films. It stars Manda Leima and Hamom Sadananda in the lead roles. The film was theatrically released at Friends' Talkies and many other cinema halls of Manipur in 2012. Lanphamda Ibeni is based on Kunjalal Yendrembam's radio play of the same title.
Chumthang Makhong is a 2008 Manipuri film directed by Romi Meitei and produced by R.K. Chandrabal under the banner of Diana Films. It stars Hamom Sadananda, Jolly Irungbam, Abenao Elangbam and Thingom Pritam in the lead roles. The film was theatrically released at Usha Cinema, Paona Bazar and many other cinema halls of Manipur in 2009 and performed well at the box office.
Mamado Leisabido Angaobido is a 2010 Manipuri film directed by Romi Meitei and produced by Jenny Khurai, under the banner of Ima Sana Chingjroibi Films. It stars Kamala Saikhom and Gokul Athokpam in the lead roles. It is based on Khaidem Pramodini's play of the same title.
The ancient legend of Khamba and Thoibi is a classic, as well as one of the epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore, that is originated from Ancient Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak . It is referred to as the "national romantic legend of Manipur" by Indian scholar Suniti Kumar Chatterjee.
Meitei cinema, also known as Maniwood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Meitei language, widely spoken in the state of Manipur. The popular term Maniwood, is a portmanteau of "Manipuri" and "Hollywood".
2021 in Meitei culture, including but not limited to Meitei architecture, Meitei cinema, Meitei cuisine, Meitei dances, Meitei festivals, Meitei language, Meitei literature, Meitei music, Meitei religion, Meitei script, etc.
