By Amit Mukherjee
In his book Manipuri Cinema, author Meghachandra Kongbam, a film critic and former director, State Information and Public Relations, Manipur, gives an insight on the Manipuri cinema, the story of which has largely remained unknown to the world outside.
In his book, which marks 50 years of Manipuri cinema, Kongbam asserts that the industry, despite being fairly young in terms of age, has created a significant place for itself in the world cinema space today. It talks about the inception of the Manipuri film industry, the works of its pioneers, the digital era among other things.
In the book, Kongbam speaks of the long cultural heritage of Manipur in detail, the influence of which is reflected in the richness and depth of the films from the region.
Music, dance and various forms of performing arts have been means of entertainment of the people of the State since time immemorial. This, the author cites, is the reason that though Manipuri cinema was born in the 1970s, it sprang up like a brilliant upstart achieving flying colours overnight and went on to carve a niche for itself.
Kongbam, in detail, captures life before the arrival of motion pictures and even the magic lantern (a simple projector to show photographic slides) which first came to Manipur in 1890 during Christmas. He points out how even before this, music dance, arts in social and religious segments used to b powerful tools of mass communication and entertainment for centuries.
The book documents glorious history of Manipur, which dates back to 33 AD, which has on record the coronation of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba.
Over the centuries, music, dance and other performing arts evolved with the royal patronage and people’s love for the richness, depth and maturity of their culture began getting reflected in their cinema.
Kongbam also pays tribute to the personalities who raised the bar of Manipuri Cinema and took the industry to a new level. MK Priyabrata, father of Manipuri documentary cinema, finds a prominent space in the book. Priyabrata, younger brother of King Bodhachandra, used to make documentary films with his 8mm Bell & Howell movie camera, which became the precursor to Manipuri cinema. His film, Reception Ceremony of Assam Governor Sir Robert Neil Reid is considered to be one of the most historically significant pieces of work
The author also captures the attempts and failures of individuals and teams who did not achieve their goals initially, but their works became significant in terms of their pioneering efforts which eventually made Manipuri Cinema a reality. Contributions of the likes of Mainu Pemcha find adequate mention in the book, which Kongbam has peppered with several interesting anecdotes and instances- some narrated and other reported by personalities, artistes and technicians associated with the Manipuri film industry.
The story of Karam Monomohan Singh- a timber merchant, a jungle contractor dealing with cinnamon and spices, also a pisciculturist; basically a resourceful business man with a positive attitude- who was the first man to venture into making the first Manipuri film makes an interesting read. It was over a drinks party, amidst soaring spirits that Singh took a vow to produce a film in a month. And he did !
Another interesting story is how a well-known lyricist Chandam Shyamacharan Singh all of a sudden became producer and director of a film in 1995 and went on to produce three more feature films in a row, which were all accepted with great enthusiasm by the audience.
This book, in chorological order, mentions and lists the works of all prominent personalities associated with the Manipuri cineworld, besides listing all the movies, which have been made since 1972 to 2021.
Kongbam also highlights the issues of Manipuri cinema and mentions several efforts and representation made by associations, personalities, artistes and local film bodies to improve the status and condition before the State government.
The book also gives details about the Acts and Rules which govern the State film industry, the Central Government’s recommendations on Film Industry and even details of associations and bodies associated with the State film sector and representations made by them till 2021.
For those who want to take a deep dive into the genesis, evolution, journey and the current status of the world of Manipuri cinema, this book by Meghachandra Kongbam is certainly a handy encyclopedia. (Courtesy- The New Indian Express, Sunday July 17, 2022)
