The Meitei people, Meetei people, or 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 Indian Republic and the sole official language of Government of Manipur. The Meiteis primarily settled in the valley areas 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.
Phijigee Mani is a 2011 Indian Meitei language film directed by O. Gautam, co-written and produced by Takhelchangbam Ongbi Medha Sharmi, under the banner of Radha Govind Films. It stars an ensemble cast including Gurumayum Bonny, Abenao Elangbam and Leishangthem Tonthoingambi Devi. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri and Best Supporting Actress awards at the 59th National Film Awards. Phijigee Mani was also selected for Indian Panorama of 42nd International Film Festival of India 2011.
Amukta Ani is a 2014 Indian Meitei language 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.
Tabunungda Akaiba Likli is a 2013 Indian Meitei language 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.
Lugongbagi Ahing is a 2011 Indian Meitei language film directed by Bijgupta Laishram and produced by T. Baruni Devi, under the banner of Baruni Films. The film features Gokul Athokpam, Bala Hijam and Ashok Seleibam in the lead roles. The film was released at Classic Hotel, Imphal on 3 June 2011. It is a 2011 blockbuster film.
Eidee Kadaida is a 2014 Indian Meitei language film directed by O. Gautam and produced by Bigyani Hidangmayum, under the banner of Nilahari Films. The film features Gokul Athokpam, Abenao Elangbam and Leishangthem Tonthoi in the lead roles. The movie was premiered at Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC), Palace Compound on 31 January 2014 and Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), Imphal on 19 April 2014.
Abenao Elangbam is an Indian actress working in Manipuri cinema. She has displayed her versatility in acting by taking various roles in Manipuri films. The beginning of her career in films are marked by movies like Cheinakhol, Thoiba Thoibi, Naoshum and Akhunba Mani.
Meitan Araba is a 2019 Indian Meitei language film directed by Lukanand Kshetrimayum and written by Sen Sagolsem. The film features Brahmacharimayum Dishiraj and Avi Khundrakpam in the lead roles. The film was certified in 2018 and released on 6 January 2019 at MSFDS, Palace Compound, Imphal. The film earned 11 nominations at the 8th SSS MANIFA 2019, winning 7 awards including the Best Feature 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.
Shumang Kumhei, also known as Shumang Leela, is a Meitei traditional form of theatre, usually performed in Manipur, North East India. The theatre is arranged in the form of open air from four sides. The roles are all played by male actors, some dressed as beautiful ladies. The role of male characters are played by female artists in case of female theatre groups. This traditional theatre form was prevalent since the time of monarchical rule in Manipur. But the proper form of Shumang Leela had its inception in 1895 A.D.
Chanu IPS 2 is a 2019 Indian Meitei language film directed by Sanaton Nongthomba and produced by Linthoi Chanu, under the banner of Nongthombam Films. The film features Gokul Athokpam, Soma Laishram and Bala Hijam in the lead roles. The film was premiered at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound on 31 October 2019.
Lamja Parshuram is a 1974 Indian Meitei language film directed by Aribam Syam Sharma and produced by G. Narayan Sharma for N.S. Films. The script was written by Elangbam Dinamani Singh and story by G.C. Tongbra. The movie features Kangabam Tomba in the title role, and Wahengbam Bedamani as the lead female protagonist. It was released on 24 April 1974 at Pratap Talkies, Paona Bazar. The film ran for more than 100 days and became the first Manipuri hit feature film.
Tayai is a 2008 Indian Meitei language film directed by K. Bimal Sharma and produced by Gokul Athokpam under the banner of Subhas and Sons'. It stars Gokul Athokpam, Kaiku Rajkumar, Lairenjam Olen, Huirem Seema, Prameshwori and Laishram Binata in the lead roles. The premiere show of the movie was held at Asha Cinema on 16 November 2008 and censored in 2009.
Chumthang Makhong is a 2008 Indian Meitei language 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.
Ima Machet Icha Tangkhai is a 2021 Indian Meitei language film directed by Homeshwori and produced by Chingsubam Khumanleima for Luwang Films. It stars Gokul Athokpam, Gurumayum Bonny, Abenao Elangbam, Soma Laishram and Luwangthoibi Chanu. The movie was released on 7 November 2021 at Manipur State Film Development Society in the Palace Compound, Imphal, with MP and titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba attending as the chief guest.
Mamado Leisabido Angaobido is a 2010 Indian Meitei language 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.
Bangladeshki Sana Tampha is a 2020 multi-starrer Indian Meitei language film directed by OC Meira and produced by Rakesh Naorem and Ibungohal Shyamal, under the banner of Ipak Films. Portraying the lifestyle of Meiteis in Bangladesh, the film stars Gurumayum Bonny, Abenao Elangbam, Bala Tensubam, Narmada Sougaijam, Gepelina Mayanglambam and Ashok Seleibam in the lead roles. The movie was released at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) on 25 January 2020.
My Japanese Niece is a 2015 Japanese-Meitei bilingual film, directed by Mohen Naorem. It stars Junichi Kajioka and Yu Asada in lead roles.
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 Padma Vibhushan awardee Indian scholar Suniti Kumar Chatterjee.
