Home > Entertainment > Indian Movies > History of Manipuri Cinema
History of Manipuri Cinema
the history of Manipuri cinema unfolds the fact it started taking shape since 1936.

Share this Article:

History of Manipuri Cinema, Indian MoviesHistory of Manipuri cinema states that the film industry in this part of India started taking a shape from 1936. The then Manipuri films mostly reflected the contemporary society where war was a predominant feature. Since then cinema in Manipur has grown slowly but steadily. The neighbouring state of Bengal was a huge influence where directors like Ritwik Ghatak, Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen and others were making meaningful films. According to the history of Manipuri cinema the initial films were mainly mythological in nature. However social films were also made during these initial years.

The history of Manipuri cinema narrates that the Manipuri directors in the beginning mostly followed the style of the theatre while making their movies. The make up, narration, lighting and others were modelled on the stage. Later they started to follow the Hindi films as well. Probably one of the glorious eras that the history of Manipuri cinema ever witnessed was in the 1970s. Each year a film was made and appreciated by the audiences. It was during this time that Manipuri films like `Saphbee` and `Olamghtagee` `Wangmadasoo` won the Rajat Kamal (National Award). This was a great achievement for an industry which was still developing.

Till date this industry has produced over 31 Manipuri movies. However the recent socio-political scenario of the state has led to a downward journey for the Manipuri cinema. Hopefully the industry will fight back the adverse conditions and bring back the glory of that the history of Manipuri cinema often narrates.

`Hiyang Tannaba` was the first Manipuri documentary which was directed by Maharaj Kumar Priyobarta Singh in the year 1936, with the aide of an 8 mm camera. In the Manipuri language, Hiyang Tannaba implies boat race. However, this film was never released as the director had failed to send it to Censor Board. Today, the film is conserved inside the archive of the Manipur Film Development Corporation or MFDC.

In the year 1946, a group of nine people established a company known as `Shree Shree Govindaji Film Company`. Sinam Krishna Mohon, Sogaijam Nabakumar and Ayekpam Biramangol were amongst the noted personalities who comprised this team. Under this banner, a movie named `Mainu Pemcha` had been produced in Hindi and its director was Rathin Sen, a Bengali film-maker. The character of `Pemcha` was played by Thambalngoubi while Bimol Chatterjee enacted the role of `Borajao`. Kangabam Gojendro, Laishram Netrajit and Khwairakpam Momon were amongst the other important actors who starred in this movie. The film, however could not be completed owing to financial complications.

Thereafter, Kongbrailatpam Ibohal Sharma made an attempt to direct some movies, employing his 16 mm Bolex camera. Many documentaries and cinemas were composed by this director which involved `Mongpham` in 1962, `Etchel` in 1961 and `Ningthemcha Ahum` in the year 1960. These movies were made in his own film studio. `Imphal Diary` and `Cultural Heritage` are some of his significant movies. All his films were silent movies, and he travelled to numerous parts of Manipur in order to arrange for his movie screenings.

Karam Manimohon, another Manipuri film director produced a documentary movie known as `Maipak- Son of Manipur` in the year 1971 which spanned 20 minutes. A Bengali movie director named Debenkumar Bose directed this movie, which was based on Nongthombam Maipak`s life, who was a participant and winner of `Mister India title` in the event of the International Federation of Body Building Championship which was organised in Paris in 1970. 1972 was an important year in the history of Manipuri movies. On 9th April of this year, the state film industry attained their very first censor certificate, after which the first formal Manipuri movie was released. The film was called `Matamgi Manipur` and was directed by Karam Manimohon. `Brojendagi Luhongba` was another movie which was made in 1973 which was produced by S.N. Chand. During this phase, Manipuri movies scaled new heights and many of these films received national and global acclaim. `Sambal Wangma`, `Saphabi`, `Olangthagi Wangma`, `Yairipok Thambalnu`, `Imagi Ningthem`, `Meichak Meichak`, `Ishanou`, `Maiyophigi Macha`, `Thawan michakna Kenkhrabada`, `Operation Sangai`, `Yening Amadi Likla` , etc were some of the most famous Manipuri movies made during this time. The films `Ishanou` and `Imagi Ninhthem` received national and international recognition.

However, in 2000, some Manipuri groups had imposed bans on many Bollywood movies, or the films of the Hindi film industry. Soon afterwards, movie theatres in Manipur were adversely affected since they had to cease the screening of movies. The absence of Hindi films inside these theatres led to their downfall and most of the movie theatres in Manipur were transformed into shopping complexes or other commercial apartments. This paved the way for a new medium of movies, which were referred to as digital films.

`Lanmei`, which was the first digital movie of Manipur was released on 24th May, 2002 under the banner of `Kangla Films Manipur`. Another digital film called `Lallasi Pal` was also directed by `Treasure Island`. With the advent of these digital movies, directors stopped creating celluloid films which consumed a considerable amount of resources and therefore not at reasonably priced. Digital movies started gaining more popularity within the state and innumerable digital movies were directed every year. In the year 2007, `Film Forum Manipur` which is a body dedicated for promoting the development of digital cinema in Manipur conducted the `First Film Festival` in this part of the country. This was organised to motivate actors and other personalities related to the regional film industry.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Movies


3D Films in India
3D films in India have gradually marked a prominent presence in the Indian film industry with the advancing technology. The movie Chota Chetan was the first 3D film of India which was followed many others in Hindi as well as regional film industries.
Filmfare Award for Best Music Director
Filmfare Award for Best Music Director is awarded to the music director who composes the most soulful and audience appealing music album for a Hindi film of the preceding year.
Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut
Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut is awarded to the debutante actress who gives the most impressive performance in her debut Hindi film and shows a promising presence in Bollywood.
Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer
The Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer is awarded to the best female playback singer who has delivered an outstanding performance in a film song.
Arundhati Devi
Arundhati Devi is considered as one of the most independent minded, educated and forceful women in the history of Bengali cinema who was a multidimensional talent from being a director to actress.
Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer
Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer is given by Filmfare to the singer who gives the most pleasant and melodious male voice to a song of a film in the previous year.
Filmfare Award For Best Actor
The Filmfare Award for Best Actor is presented by Filmfare every year to the actor who portrays his character and performs the role in a film with most commendable finesse.
Malayalam Movie Actresses
Malayalam Movie Actresses have contributed considerably to the growth of Malayalam cinema.
Bollywood Villains
Bollywood villains have entertained the audience over years. Bollywood villains are only the villains on screen. Some notable Bollywood villains include Premnath, Omrish Puri, Shakti kapoor, Danny, Amzad Khan etc.
Marathi Actors
Marathi actors in India have made significant contributions to the country`s film industry, showcasing their exceptional talent, versatility, and dedication. From veteran legends to emerging stars, Marathi actors have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema, enriching it with their powerful performances and captivating storytelling.
Bengali Actors
Bengali actors have a significant contribution in the Bengali cinema and over years they have presented the film industry many landmark films which marked their spectacular performances. Their outstanding dramatic skills won them applauses from critics as well as masses.
Bengali Actresses
Bengali Actresses are the most beautiful, talented and evergreen of the whole Indian film industry. The incomparable acting ability has made them well-known to all.
Odia Cinema
Colloquially known as Ollywood, the industry of Odia Cinema is based in Cuttack and is a popular on the regional basis.
Oriya Cinema Actors
Oriya actors have aided in restructuring the Oriya film industry.
Tamil Actors
The Tamil actors with their powerhouse performance aided in shaping the Kollywood industry.
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to honour the film personalities who have enriched the Hindi film industry with their profound contribution over the years.
Telugu Cinema
Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Gujarati Movie Actors
Gujarati movie actors, like Upendra Trivedi, Arvind Rathod etc, are talented entertainers who have significantly contributed to the development of Gujarati film industry.
Bengali Cinema
Bengali Cinema has proved itself class apart instead of being a regional film industry. It has its own charm and attraction which is enough to make it popular.
Assamese Film Actresses
Assamese Film Actresses have carved a niche for themselves in the history of regional films. They are talented and credible with susceptible style. They have contributed to the growth of Assamese cinema in all the ways possible.
Tamil Actresses
A talented lot of Tamil Actresses has enriched Tamil cinema for years.