Meitei cinema

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Meitei cinema
Maniwood
Meitei Cinema - Maniwood Clapperboard.jpg
An illustration of the Maniwood clapperboard
Main distributors
  • Film Forum Manipur (FFM)
  • Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS)
Produced feature films
Total60-70 [1] [2]

Meitei cinema (Meitei : Meitei Mami Kumhei), also known as Maniwood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language), widely spoken in the state of Manipur. The popular term Maniwood, is a portmanteau of "Manipuri" (official name of Meitei) and "Hollywood". Since its inception, Meitei cinema has played a significant role in the Meitei linguistic purism movement, often emphasizing proper Meitei language in place of pidgin dialects. [3]

Contents

The origins of Meitei cinema date back to Matamgi Manipur ( Meitei for 'Today's Manipur'), released in 1972 as the first full-length Meitei-language film and the first film made in Manipur. [4] [5] The film won the President's Medal at the 20th National Film Awards, establishing a milestone in Manipuri cinema. [6] Another landmark came with Imagi Ningthem ( Meitei for ' My Son, My Precious ') in 1981, which brought international recognition by winning the Golden Montgolfiere at the 1982 Festival des 3 Continents in Nantes, elevating Indian cinema on the global stage. [7] [8]

In 1990, Ishanou ( Meitei for ' The Chosen One ') gained further acclaim, being screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival. [9] This film was re-recognized in 2023 by Cannes as a "World Classic," marking its significance as the only Indian film selected for the event that year. [10] [11] [12] Additionally, Keibu Keioiba ( Meitei for ' Tiger-Head ') became the first animation film in the Meitei language and in Manipuri cinema in 2009. [13] [14] [15]

Reflecting local culture, since 2012, Maniwood has observed a dress code guideline: “If you wear jeans thrice on screen, you have to wear Manipuri dresses four times.” This practice reflects the Maniwood culture’s dedication to representing the Manipuri lifestyle and traditional attire. According to acclaimed director Aribam Syam Sharma, Meitei cinema authentically portrays the way of life and thinking of the Manipuri people. [16]

Today, Ishanou, Oneness, and Eikhoigi Yum are among the top-rated Manipuri films on IMDb as of 2023, showcasing the enduring appeal of Meitei cinema among audiences. [17]

History

Era of celluloid classic feature films (1972-1989)

YearOriginal Title
(in Meitei script)		 Romanization DirectorProducerBannerFormatNote(s)/Reference(s)
1972 ꯃꯇꯝꯒꯤ ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔ Matamgee Manipur Deb Kumar BoseK. ManimohanT.K. Films Private Ltd.35mm Black and White [18] [19]
1973 ꯕ꯭ꯔꯣꯖꯦꯟꯗ꯭ꯔꯣ ꯒꯤ ꯂꯨꯍꯣꯡꯕ Brojendra Gee Luhongba S.N. ChandS.N. ChandSajatia Pictures35mm Black and White [18] [19]
1974 ꯂꯝꯖꯥ ꯄꯔꯁꯨꯔꯥꯝ Lamja Parsuram Aribam Syam SharmaG. Narayan SharmaN.S. Films35mm Black and White [18] [19]
1974ꯉꯛ-ꯏ-ꯀꯣ ꯅꯪꯁꯦNgak-E-Ko NangseS.N. ChandW. Basant KumarPoonam Films35mm Black and White [18] [19]
1976 ꯁꯥꯐꯕꯤ Shaphabee Aribam Syam SharmaG. Narayan SharmaN.S. Films35mm Black and White [18] [19]
1979ꯈꯨꯊꯥꯡ ꯂꯝꯖꯦꯜKhuthang LamjelG.C. TongbraTh. HaridasA.T. Films35mm Black and White (some parts were colour) [18] [19]
1979 ꯑꯣꯂꯥꯡꯊꯥꯒꯤ ꯋꯥꯡꯃꯗꯁꯨ Olangthagee Wangmadasoo Aribam Syam SharmaG. Narayan SharmaN.S. Films35mm Black and White [18] [19]
1981 ꯏꯃꯥꯒꯤ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯦꯝ Imagee Ningthem Aribam Syam SharmaK. Ibohal SharmaX-Cine Productions16mm Converted to 35mm blowup (Black and White) [18] [19]
1981ꯈꯣꯟꯖꯦꯜKhonjelM.NilamaniM.NilamaniAnjana Films35mm Black and White [18] [19]
1981ꯋꯥꯡꯃ ꯋꯥꯡꯃWangma WangmaL. Banka SharmaL. ShyamsundarEastern Star Films35mm Black and White [18] [19]
1983 ꯁꯅꯥꯀꯩꯊꯦꯜ Sanakeithel M.A. SinghDoren ThoudamA.T.B. Films International (India)35mm Black and White [18] [19]
1984ꯂꯥꯡꯂꯦꯟ ꯊꯥꯗꯣꯏLanglen ThadoiM.A. SinghKh. Shakhi DeviKay Pee Films International (India)16mm Convert-ed to 35mm blowup (Colour) [18] [19]
1984ꯌꯥꯏꯔꯤꯄꯣꯛ ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯜꯅꯨYairipok ThambalnuL. Banka SharmaH. GehendraLiberty Films35mm Black and White [18] [19]
1987ꯏꯆꯦ ꯁꯈꯤEche ShakhiDoren Thoudam & H. IbotombiDoren ThoudamA.T.B. Films International (India)16mm Converted to 35mm blowup Colour [18] [19]
1989 ꯀꯣꯝꯕꯤꯔꯩ Kombirei G. Narayan SharmaG. Narayan SharmaN.S. Films35mm Colour [18] [19]

Cast and crew

Actors

Actresses

Directors

Awards

National Film Awards

Bilingualism

Many Meitei language films have been made with other languages simultaneously.

Meitei and English

YearTitleDirector(s)Ref
2011 Fried Fish, Chicken Soup and a Premiere Show Mamta Murthy [20]
2013 Manipuri Pony (film) Aribam Syam Sharma
2018 Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup? Priyakanta Laishram [21]
2024 Oneness (film) Priyakanta Laishram [22]

Meitei and Japanese

YearTitleDirector(s)Ref
2015 My Japanese Niece Mohen Naorem [23] [24] [25]

Meitei and Portuguese

YearMeitei TitlePortuguese TitleDirector(s)Ref
2017 Nura Pakhang Eu e Tu Romi Meitei [26]

Meitei and Tamil

YearTitleDirector(s)Ref
1996Language of WarR.V. Ramani [27]

Meitei and Tangkhul

YearTitleDirector(s)Ref
2021 Nine Hills One Valley Haobam Paban Kumar [28]

Notable films

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meitei people</span> Ethnic group of South Asia

The Meitei people, also known as Meetei, Manipuri people, is an 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aribam Syam Sharma</span> Indian film director

Aribam Syam Sharma is an Indian filmmaker and composer from Manipur. He debuted in the first Manipuri film Matamgi Manipur as an actor. In 1974, he directed his first movie Lamja Parshuram. It became the first Manipuri film to run for 100 days in the box office. His 1979 film Olangthagee Wangmadasoo was the first ever and the only Manipuri film to run for 32 weeks. It also broke the local box office records of Sholay.

<i>Ishanou</i> 1990 Manipuri film

Ishanou is a 1990 Indian Manipuri film written by M. K. Binodini Devi and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. The movie stars Anoubam Kiranmala and Kangabam Tomba in the lead roles. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival. In 2023, it was recognised as a "World Classic" by the Cannes Film Festival 2023 and it was the only film selected from India for the event for that year. The movie was first aired in Doordarshan and later released in Usha Cinema, Paona Bazar on 6 July 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bala Hijam</span> Indian actress (born 1992)

Surja Bala Hijam, better known as Bala Hijam is an Indian actress, who predominantly appears in Manipuri films. She is known for her lead role in Malayalam road film, titled Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinema of Manipur</span> Indian filmmaking in Manipur

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 by Debkumar Bose was released on 9 April 1972. From Aribam Syam Sharma's Paokhum Ama, the first colour Manipuri film (1983), M.A Singh's Langlen Thadoi, the first full-length colour Manipuri film (1984) to Oken Amakcham's Lammei, the first Manipuri digital film (2002), Manipuri cinema, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, has grown in both its form and culture.

<i>Matamgi Manipur</i> 1972 Indian film

Matamgi Manipur is a 1972 Manipuri film and the first full-length cinema of Manipur. The movie is directed by Debkumar Bose and produced by Karam Monomohan, under the banner of K.T. Films Private Limited. The black and white film features Gurumayum Ravindra Sharma and Yengkhom Roma in the lead roles. Arambam Samarendra wrote the story and screenplay by Debkumar Bose. The film won the President's Medal at the 20th National Film Awards. It is an adaptation of Arambam Samarendra's theatrical play Tīrtha Yātrā.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M. K. Binodini Devi</span> Indian writer

Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi was a writer from the Northeastern Indian state of Manipur. She wrote in Meiteilon under the mononym Binodini. She was best known for her 1976 historical novel Boro Saheb Ongbi Sanatombi, which won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1979. Its English translation, ThePrincess and the Political Agent, was published as a Penguin Modern Classic in 2020 by Penguin Random House India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romi Meitei</span> Screenwriter,lyricist and director

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.

Makhonmani Mongsaba is an Indian author, actor, producer and director from Imphal, Manipur. He got his doctorate degree in Manipuri from Manipur University. In 2013, he won the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for his book Chinglon Amadagi Amada, a travelogue. He published the book Matamgi Manipur:The First Manipuri Feature Film by Bobby Wahengbam under the name Angomningthou Preservation and Documentation. It won the Best Book on Cinema at the 65th National Film Awards 2018 and both the writer and the publisher received the Swarna Kamal award.

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, Tellangga Mamei, Nungshithel are some of his notable films. He had been a jury member of 58th National Film Awards.

<i>Mayophygee Macha</i> 1994 Manipuri film

Mayophygee Macha is a 1994 Manipuri film written by M. K. Binodini Devi and directed by Oken Amakcham. R.S. Joycee and Makhonmani Mongsaba were cast in the lead roles. It is produced by Thoungamba and Thouyangba for P.K. Films. The movie won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 42nd National Film Awards. It is a celluloid movie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kangabam Tomba</span> Indian actor

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 title 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.

<i>Pabung Syam</i> 2020 Indian documentary film

Pabung Syam is a 2021 Manipuri documentary film directed by Haobam Paban Kumar. It is produced by Films Division of India. The film was selected in the non-feature section of the Indian Panorama at the 52nd International Film Festival of India 2021. It won the Best Biographical Film award at the 68th National Film Awards.

<i>Larei Lathup</i> 2021 Indian film

Larei Lathup is a 2021 Manipuri film written and directed by Ojitbabu Ningthoujam. It stars Silheiba Ningthoujam and Ithoi Oinam in the lead roles. The film was premiered at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) on 13 November 2021. It was the opening film (fiction) at the Festival of Cinemas of Manipur 2022, a 15-day long multi-lingual film festival organised by MSFDS in April 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keibu Keioiba</span> Half man, half tiger of Meitei folklore

Keibu Keioiba, also known as Kabui Keioiba, is a mythical creature with the head of a tiger and the body of a human in the Meitei mythology and folklore of Manipur. According to legend, he was once a skilful priest named Kabui Salang Maiba. He used witchcraft to turn himself into a ferocious tiger. As punishment of his pride, he could not completely turn back to his original human form.

<i>Keibu Keioiba</i> (film) 2009 Meitei language animation film

Keibu Keioiba, also known as Kabui Keioiba, is a 2009 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Priyakanta Laishram</span> Indian actor, director

Priyakanta Laishram is an Indian actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and film editor from the Meitei ethnicity of Imphal, Manipur who predominantly works in Manipuri films, known for his socially relevant and unconventional movies. He is the first filmmaker to make the first mainstream film of Manipur, Northeast India, dealing with same-sex relationships, Oneness (film). He started making children's films at the age of 9 by using a Nokia N70 mobile phone, for which he won several titles including The Youngest Filmmaker 2009 from Nokia and Manipur's Rising Star 2011 from Asian News International.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japanese–Meitei cultural relations</span> Cultural relationship between Japanese and Meitei traditions

Japanese people and Meitei people have a long history of sharing and interacting with each other's art and cultural heritages, including but not limited to cinema, music, mythology, language, literature and theatre.

References

  1. ↑ "'Mary Kom' earns Rs 28.32 cr at box office in first weekend". Business Today. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2023. ... Meanwhile, producers are trying to release the film in Kom's hometown, where around 60 to 70 films in Meitei language are made in a year. ...
  2. ↑ Bag, Shamik (10 October 2015). "Being a movie buff in Imphal". mint. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  3. ↑ Bag, Shamik (10 October 2015). "Being a movie buff in Imphal". mint. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "Matamgi Manipur on Moviebuff.com". Moviebuff.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "Manipuri cinema in the last three decades". e-pao.net. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  6. ↑ "Now Showing MATAMGI MANIPUR". www.e-pao.net. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  7. ↑ "Digitised Imagi Ningthem screened at Pune film fest : 15th jan14 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  8. ↑ "New book traces journey of Manipuri cinema". The Hindu. 6 April 2022. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  9. ↑ "Festival de Cannes: The Chosen One". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  10. ↑ "Manipuri feature film 'ISHANOU' recognised as World Classic". The Economic Times. 6 May 2023. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  11. ↑ "Aribam Syam Sharma's ISHANOU recognised as World Classic". Imphal Free Press . Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  12. ↑ "Manipuri Film 'Ishanou' Becomes India's Only Restored Film To Be Screened At Cannes 2023". Outlook India.
  13. ↑ Singh, Naorem Nishikanta (7 November 2013). "Bhumenjoy Konsam on the Chemistry of Making Keibu-Kei-Oiba – Part II | Manipur Times" . Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  14. ↑ "Manipur fable from Shrek stable - Pune-based visual designer makes region's first animation film". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  15. ↑ Singh, Naorem Nishikanta (22 October 2013). "Bhumenjoy Konsam on the Chemistry of Making Keibu-Kei-Oiba – Part I | Manipur Times" . Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  16. ↑ Bag, Shamik (10 October 2015). "Being a movie buff in Imphal". mint. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  17. ↑ "Ishanou, Oneness, and Eikhoigi Yum become IMDb's top 3 Manipuri movies". East Mojo. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "major film - E-rang Classic :: E-pao Movie Channel". e-pao.org. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Manipuri Feature Films 1972 1997 - E-rang Classic" . Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  20. ↑ "Top film festival with unique selection process|Bandra Film Festival". www.bandrafilmfestival.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  21. ↑ "Manipuri-English film promoting gender-neutral fashion to be screened in Mumbai". 3 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  22. ↑ "A Manipur film tackles sexual identity for first time". The Indian Express. 25 April 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  23. ↑ "My Japanese Niece Movie Review (2015) - Rating, Cast & Crew With Synopsis". nettv4u. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  24. ↑ Times, Manipur (19 March 2013). ""My Japanese Niece" – a masterpiece from Mohen Naorem | Manipur Times" . Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  25. ↑ "100 Thai soldiers to act in Manipuri film 'My Japanese Niece' : 19th mar13 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  26. ↑ "Clã gravam video no Porto com a cantora indiana Mangka". Força de Produção (in Portuguese). Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  27. ↑ "Films by R. V. Ramani" . Retrieved 31 July 2023. LANGUAGE OF WAR 50 minutes, Tamil/Manipuri, 1996. Photographed, Edited, Directed and Produced by R.V.Ramani
  28. ↑ "Nine Hills, One Valley wins special mention award in NFDC's Film Bazaar Another feather in the cap for Paban Kumar". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
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