Sanamahism or Meiteism or Lainingthouism, is an ethnic religion of the Meitei people of Manipur, Northeast India. It is a polytheistic religion and is named after God Lainingthou Sanamahi, one of the most important deities of the Meitei faith. Sanamahi is the eldest son of the supreme god Yaibirel Sidaba and the supreme goddess Leimarel Sidabi. Traditionally every Meitei household, irrespective of the religion, worships Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi. The importance of Sanamahi in the religion is also emphasized in the name itself which means Liquid Gold. Sanamahism does not have a religious head but has a body, Maru Loishang that oversees the main religious activities and govern all affairs pertaining to the religion including conducts of priest and priestess. The Maru Loishang also acts a court for religious disputes. There are three main departments under the Pandit Loishang, namely, the Amaiba Loishang, the Pena Asheiba Loishang and the Amaibi Loishang. These departments have existed since the reign of King Meidingu Hongnemyoi Khunjao Naothingkhong of Manipur in 662 AD.
The Cinema of Manipur is the film industry based in Manipur, India. It includes not only Meitei language movies but all the films made in different languages of the different communities in Manipur. The Manipuri film industry was born when Matamgi Manipur was released on 9 April 1972. Before this, there were many attempts to make a film in the state, the most significant being Mainu Pemcha in 1948 which was left incomplete due to various problems.
Laman Ama is a 2018 Indian Manipuri film directed by Sanad Aribam and produced by Rajeshwar Aribam, under the banner of Fast Forward Films. It stars Raju Nong, Saroja Devi Chongtham and Hemlet in the lead roles. It is a Manipuri thriller film. It is adapted from Randy Oliver's Angle of Deflection. The film was released at Manipur State Film Development Corporation (MSFDS), Imphal on 14 October 2018. The movie was selected in the 11th International Guwahati Film Festival 2018.
Oken Amakcham is an Indian film director, music director and actor who works in Manipuri films. He started his career in theatre and performing arts. He is a recipient of the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri for the movie Mayophygee Macha at the 42nd National Film Awards. In 2002, he directed Lammei which marked the beginning of a digital era in Manipuri cinema. He took the role of music director in many of his movies. Cheina, Tellanga Mamei, Nungshithel are some of his notable films. He had been a jury member of 58th National Film Awards.
Kangabam Tomba is an Indian actor from Imphal, Manipur. He started his career in theatre. His first appearance in movies is in Matamgi Manipur, the first Manipuri full-length feature film where he played a college guy. His is popularly known as Lamja Tomba for his titular role in the 1974 movie Lamja Parshuram. Tomba bagged the Best Actor Award at the 1st Manipur State Film Festival 1984 for the film. He was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 11th Manipur State Film Awards 2018.
Yumjao Leima or Yumjao Lairembi or Yumjao Lairemma is the mother goddess of house, household, royalty, rule and power in Meitei mythology and religion. She is designated as the all time ruling Queen Mother. Legend says she assumes a human form in white clothes and blesses kings. She is one of the divine incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi.
Meitei Language Day, also known as Manipuri Language Day, is observed annually on 20 August. It is a commemoration of the day on which Meitei language was included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India and made one of the languages with official status in India on the 20th August, 1992.
Directorate of Language Planning and Implementation (DLPI) is a directorate of the Government of Manipur in charge of the language planning and the implementation of policies of Meitei language as well as other indigenous vernaculars of Manipur.
The social movement of Meitei language to achieve the officially recognised status of the "Classical language of India" is advocated by various literary, political, social associations and organisations as well as notable individual personalities of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Northeast India.
Miss Kangleipak (Women's Best Physique) is an annual female bodybuilding competition of Kangleipak (Manipur). It co-exists with Miss Manipur, Femina Miss India Manipur and Meetei Chanu. Founded in the year 2012 by the "Manipur Amateur Body Builders Association" (MABBA), Miss Kangleipak is sponsored by the "Janaki Bar Bell Club" (JBC), Singjamei and "Lamyanba Meitei Gym", Sagolband Moirang Hanuba Leirak.
There are three notable museums inside the Kangla Fort in Imphal West district of Kangleipak, which are the Kangla Museum, the Archaeological Museum and the Memento Museum. Some people also count the Hijagang as a museum.
Events in the year 2022 in Manipur
In Meitei mythology and religion, Kangla Sa, also spelled as Kangla Sha, is a guardian dragon lion. It has a lion's body and a dragon's head, with two horns. It is considered sacred to the Meitei heritage. It is a royal symbol of the Meitei royalties . The most remarkable statues dedicated to "Kangla Sa" stand inside the Kangla.
The ancient legend of Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi is one of the epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore, that is originated from Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak. It concerns the fateful love of Kadeng Thangjahanba, a skilled blacksmith, for the beautiful Tonu Laijinglembi. Kadeng Thangjahanba was a highly talented and skilful royal chief metalsmith appointed by King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba of Moirang. Tonu Laijinglembi was the only daughter of Laijing Lakpa, a favourite nobleman of the King of Moirang.
Keibu Keioiba, also known as Kabui Keioiba, is a 2009 Meitei language Indian Manipuri animation feature film, directed by Bhumenjoy Konsam. It is the first Manipuri animation film, based on the Meitei folklore. It was screened in the 11th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) in 2010, under the aegis of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The Emoinu Fish Fest, also known as the Imoinu Fish Festival(Meitei: Imoinu Nga Kummei), is an upcoming grand fair, to be organised by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Manipur, on the 12th day of the Meitei lunar month of "Wakching", which is traditionally, the day of Emoinu Eratpa, the sacred festival dedicated to Emoinu (Imoinu), the ancient Meitei goddess of wealth and prosperity. The first edition of the event will be organised on 3rd January, 2023. The event will be organised in the Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal East district, Manipur.
The Marjing Polo Complex is a sports complex dedicated to ancient Meitei deity Marjing, Sagol Kangjei and Meitei horse, built in the hilltop of the Heingang Ching, the sacred abode of God Marjing, located in Heingang, Imphal East district, Kangleipak . It houses Marjing Polo Statue, the world's tallest equestrian statue of a polo player.
The Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board (LSTB) (Meitei: /lāi-nīng-thou sa-nā-ma-hī lāi-sang lūp/) is a temple development board of the Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple, Haying Khongban Uphong Yumpham, Imphal West district of Kangleipak (Manipuri for 'Manipur'). It is dedicated not only to God Lainingthou Sanamahi and Goddess Leimarel Sidabi of Sanamahism, but also to the other ancient Meitei gods and goddesses of the traditional Meitei religion.
