Ishanou

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Ishanou (The Chosen One)
Ishanou Film Poster.jpg
Official poster
Directed by Aribam Syam Sharma
Written by M. K. Binodini Devi
Produced by Aribam Syam Sharma
StarringAnoubam Kiranmala
Kangabam Tomba
CinematographyGirish Padhiar
Edited byUjjal Nandy
Music by Aribam Syam Sharma
Production
company
Aribam Syam Sharma Productions
Distributed byDoordarshan Kendra Guwahati
Release date
  • 6 July 1990 (1990-07-06)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryIndia
Language Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language)

Ishanou (English: The Chosen One) is a 1990 Indian Meitei language film written by M. K. Binodini Devi and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. [1] [2] The movie stars Anoubam Kiranmala and Kangabam Tomba in the lead roles. [3] It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival. [4] 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. [5] [6] [7] The movie was first aired in Doordarshan and later released in Usha Cinema, Paona Bazar on 6 July 1990. [8]

Contents

Ishanou was screened at many film festivals, including Singapore International Film Festival, London Film Festival, Des 3 Continents, Festival of Festivals Toronto, International Film Festival Rotterdam, Fribourg International Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival and International Film Festival of India. [9] [10] [11] Ishanou was restored by Film Heritage Foundation and the restored film was selected for a red-carpet world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival 2023. [12] [13]

On IMDb, Ishanou is ranked first among the top three Manipuri films, followed by Oneness (film) and Eikhoigee Yum. [14]

Plot

"Ishanou" by Aribam Syam Sharma is a moving story of love and grief immersed in Manipuri culture. The video beautifully contrasts the spiritual world of the Maibis with the rhythm of everyday life, emphasising the coexistence of the occult and the tangible in the same reality. To the mesmerising sounds of the Pena (traditional string instrument), the bamboo flute, and incantation hymns, the drama unfolds. The director's straightforward approach, delicate camerawork, and understated acting, combined with the vivid depiction of Maibi culture and the use of Manipur's traditional music in the film's score, lend the film an authenticity that blends storytelling, documentary, and ethnography.

He claims that music was his first love. Aribam Syam Sharma, a singer, songwriter, actor, and theatrical director, studied philosophy, music, and drama before venturing into the field of movies. The film "Ishanou" (The Chosen One) is a palimpsest of this outstanding filmmaker's various talents, as well as another treasure that arose from the filmmaker's close collaboration with the famed Manipuri writer M.K. Binodini Devi, who penned the screenplay for the film.

Their shared interest in telling a story based on the life of the Maibi sect, Binodini Devi's observations and stories shared with her by Maibis, and Aribam Syam Sharma's documentary on Lai-Haraoba, an annual ritual festival celebrated by the Meitei community to appease the gods through songs, dance, and rituals performed by the Maibi, all contributed to the creation of the film.

Tampha, a gorgeous young woman with a loving husband and a small daughter, lives a peaceful life in the Manipur valley, preoccupied with banal matters like preparing for her daughter's ear-piercing ceremony or discussing the purchase of a used scooter with her husband. Suddenly, she begins to act strangely, talking to flowers, having dizzy spells, and wandering out of the house in the middle of the night. The family goes from pillar to post in search of a treatment for the strange illness. Finally, they realise she is not suffering from a common illness, but rather is responding to the inexorable call of the deity.

Cast

Reception

Derek Malcolm, in 1991, wrote about the film on 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". [15] Former director of Sydney Film Festival and Film Critic David Stratton also wrote in the Variety published from New York on 11 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".

Accolades

Ishanou won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri and Special Mention (Anoubam Kiranmala) at the 38th National Film Awards. [16] The citation for the National Award reads, "For effectively portraying the tragedy behind the institution of Maibi which unfortunately shatters a family". Special Mention's citation reads, "For a debut performance depicting various levels of conflict effectively".

AwardCategoryWinner's nameResult
38th National Film Awards Best Feature Film in Manipuri Aribam Syam Sharma Won
Special MentionAnoubam KiranmalaWon

Film restoration

Ishanou was restored by Film Heritage Foundation utilizing the best surviving elements, including the 16 mm original camera negative held by the National Film Archive of India and two 35 mm prints held by Aribam Syam Sharma. When conservators from the Film Heritage Foundation examined the negative, they discovered it was in poor condition. On some reels, the negative suffered vinegar syndrome degradation, mould and warping, broken perforations, scratches, emulsion halos, and base distortion. Conservators from the Film Heritage Foundation labored painstakingly to fix the negative before it could be digitized using a wet-gate scanner at L'Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna. [17]

The significant issue was the usage of inter-negative areas in the original camera negative, which resulted in wide changes in image quality, making it quite grainy in parts and not matching the rest of the film. The sound design in this film is particularly essential because of the subtleties in the film's silence and, of course, the music composed by Aribam Syam Sharma. The film was shot on 16 mm on a low budget in varying available light circumstances, resulting in focus and lighting difficulties that damaged the image. [18]

In keeping with its aim of restoring and revitalizing forgotten gems of India's film legacy, the Film Heritage Foundation has restored the award-winning film "Ishanou" (1990) by revered Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma. It was done in 2022. The restoration has been chosen for a red-carpet global premiere at the Cannes Film Festival's coveted Cannes Classic section in 2023. The 91-minute film was also an official entry in Cannes' Un Certain Regard division in 1991. Ishanou is just the second Manipuri feature film scanned by the SN Chand Cine Archive and the Museum of MSFDS, and the first to be restored. [19]

Related Research Articles

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

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 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 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>Olangthagee Wangmadasoo</i> 1980 Indian film

Olangthagee Wangmadasoo is a 1980 Indian Meitei language film written by M. K. Binodini Devi, produced by G. Narayan Sharma and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. The film features Kangabam Tomba, Yengkhom Roma and Kshetrimayum Rashi in the lead roles. The movie was censored in 1979 and released at Friends Talkies, Paona Bazar on 18 January 1980. It was the first ever and the only Manipuri film to run for more than 30 weeks, till date. The film ran for 32 weeks at the box office.

<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), Oken Amakcham's Lammei, the first Manipuri digital film (2002), to Priyakanta Laishram's Oneness (film), the first Manipuri gay-themed film (2023), 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 Indian Meitei language 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.

<i>Leipaklei</i> 2012 Indian film

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imagi Ningthem</span> 1981 Indian film

Imagi Ningthem is a 1981 Indian Meitei language film directed by Aribam Syam Sharma and written by M. K. Binodini Devi. It won the Golden Montgolfiere at the Festival des 3 Continents, Nantes in 1982. The film was also screened at many International Film Festivals, which include Denver International Film Festival, London Film Festival, Locarno International Film Festival, Montreal International Film Festival and International Film Festival of India. It won two awards at the 29th National Film Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M. K. Binodini Devi</span> Indian novelist, short story writer, playwright, lyricist, and royal

Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi was an Indian novelist, short story writer, playwright, lyricist and member of the royal family of Manipur. She was the last princess of the erstwhile Kingdom of Manipur. She published books under the name Binodini. She was best known for her 1976 novel Boro Saheb Ongbi Sanatombi.

<i>Nongphadok Lakpa Atithi</i> 2019 Indian film

Nongphadok Lakpa Atithi is a 2019 Indian Meitei language film directed by Aribam Syam Sharma and produced by Deepak Sarmah. It stars Ningthoujam Rina and Lairenjam Olen in the lead roles. The film was premiered at the 3rd Guwahati International Film Festival 2019 as the Opening Film of the Indian section. It is based on Lamabam Viramani's short story Atithi. It was written as a radio play by M. K. Binodini Devi under the title Nongphadok Lakpada. The adapted screenplay of the film was done by Aribam Syam Sharma. It won four awards at the 13th Manipur State Film Festival 2020.

<i>Paokhum Ama</i> 1983 Indian film

Paokhum Ama is a 1983 Indian Meitei language film and also the first colour cinema of Manipur. The film is directed by Aribam Syam Sharma and written by M. K. Binodini Devi. It stars Kangabam Tomba and Yengkhom Roma in the lead roles. The movie was premiered at the Tyneside International Film Festival, United Kingdom.

<i>Sanabi</i> 1995 Indian film

Sanabi is a 1995 Indian Meitei language film written by M. K. Binodini Devi and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. The movie stars Haorongbam Deben and R.K. Sushila in the lead roles. It is jointly produced by Doordarshan and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 43rd National Film Awards. Sanabi got selection at the International Film Festival of India, 1996 and Cairo International Film Festival, Egypt, 1996.

<i>Saaphabee</i> 1976 Indian film

Saaphabee is a 1976 Indian Meitei language film written by Sarangthem Bormani, produced by G. Narayan Sharma and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. The film features Kangabam Tomba and Ngangom (O) Subadani in the lead roles. It was released at Usha Cinema, Paona Bazar on 13 July 1976. The movie won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 24th National Film Awards. It is based on the famous Manipuri folk play Haorang Leishang Saaphabee. It is the first Manipuri folk film.

<i>Lamja Parshuram</i> 1974 Indian film

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 titular 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.

<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 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.

<i>Yelhou Jagoi</i> 1995 Indian film

Yelhou Jagoi is a 1995 non-feature Indian Meitei language documentary film scripted by Rajkumar Achoubasana and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. It is conceptualized by Kapila Vatsyayan and produced by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi. The film was screened at the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival 2019, Japan.

<i>Orchids of Manipur</i> (film) 1993 Indian film

Orchids of Manipur is a 1993 non-feature Indian Meitei language film scripted by M. K. Binodini Devi and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. It is produced by Sh. Tomchou Singh under the banner of Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) Limited. The film was screened at the second edition of Fragrances from the North East 2014, a three-day festival of cinema from the northeast.

<i>Manipuri Pony</i> (film) 2013 Indian film

Manipuri Pony is a 2013 non-feature Indian Meitei language film scripted by Aribam Gautam and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. It is produced by Films Division of India. The film won the National Film Award for Best Exploration / Adventure Film at the 60th National Film Awards. The movie was also selected in the Indian Panorama of the 44th International Film Festival of India 2013 and the Mumbai International Film Festival in 2014.

<i>Paari</i> (2000 film) 2000 Indian film

Paari is a 2000 Indian Meitei language film written by Aribam Gautam and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. The movie stars R.K. Surchandra in the lead role. This children film is produced by Children's Film Society, India. The movie participated at National Children's Film Festival (NCFF) 2010, Guwahati; 2nd Children's Film Festival and 4th Children's Film Festival 2013, Imphal. Paari was among the films screened at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2015 under the section A special retrospective on ace filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meitei cinema</span> Indian Meitei-language film industry

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".

References

  1. ↑ "Seven Manipuri films you must watch". thenortheasttoday.com. 23 January 2016.
  2. ↑ Baruah, Parthajith (23 February 2018). "Rising against all odds" – via www.thehindu.com.
  3. ↑ "Evolving digital film culture in Manipur A misnomer By Meghachandra Kongbam". e-pao.net.
  4. ↑ "Festival de Cannes: The Chosen One". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  5. ↑ "Manipuri feature film 'ISHANOU' recognised as World Classic". The Economic Times. 6 May 2023. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  6. ↑ "Aribam Syam Sharma's ISHANOU recognised as World Classic". Imphal Free Press . Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  7. ↑ "Manipuri Film 'Ishanou' Becomes India's Only Restored Film To Be Screened At Cannes 2023". Outlook India.
  8. ↑ "ISHANOU (1991)". BFI. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021.
  9. ↑ "Profile of Aribam Syam Sharma ~ Pictures from Manipur - E-pao". e-pao.net.
  10. ↑ "Syam Sharma`s Ishanou among 27 feature films centenary India Cinema package". kanglaonline.com.
  11. ↑ Oinam Sunil. "Manipuri film to be screened at Goa festival". The Times of India.
  12. ↑ "ISHANOU". Festival de Cannes.
  13. ↑ "Manipuri film Ishanou's big splash at the red carpet of Cannes Film Festival 2023". India Today NE. 21 May 2023.
  14. ↑ "Ishanou, Oneness, and Eikhoigi Yum become IMDb's top 3 Manipuri movies". East Mojo. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  15. ↑ MEGHACHANDRA KONGBAM. "Aribam Syam Sharma: A Genius in the World of Indian Cinema". imphalreviews.in.
  16. ↑ "Ishanou(The Chosen One): Manipuri film to be screened at Goa festival | Guwahati News - Times of India". The Times of India.
  17. ↑ "Manipuri film 'Ishanou' to be screened at Cannes, recognised as a World Classic". Indulgexpress.com.
  18. ↑ "Manipuri feature film 'ISHANOU' recognised as World Classic". The Economic Times. 6 May 2023.
  19. ↑ "Cannes Classics & le Cinéma de la Plage 2023". Festival de Cannes.
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