Aribam Syam Sharma inspires students with masterclass on Manipuri regional cinema

The two-day Extension Lecture and Film Screening Programme on “Visual Arts and Regional Cinema (Manipuri)” concluded yesterday at DM College of Arts under Dhanamanjuri University, drawing enthusiastic participation from students, scholars, and cinema enthusiasts.
Organised by the Department of Philosophy, the programme was held at the Conference Hall of the Principal’s Office Building of DM College of Arts with a series of lectures, documentary screenings, and interactive sessions exploring the artistic and philosophical dimensions of Manipuri cinema.
The event opened with a keynote address by Dr. Ch. Bhagyachandra Singh, Assistant Professor of the Department of Philosophy. Principal Dr. S. Lanchenba Meitei also addressed the gathering and spoke on the relevance of visual arts and cinema in contemporary academic discourse. Former Head of the Department of Philosophy, Dr. Kh. Gokulchandra Singh, delivered an engaging lecture tracing the evolution and history of Manipuri cinema, while Associate Professor Dr. Sarat Sarma also shared his insights during the inaugural sessions.
The first day concluded with screenings of the documentary films Aribam Syam Sharma and Manipuri Pony, offering participants a deeper understanding of Manipur’s cinematic heritage and cultural identity.
The second day witnessed an inspiring interaction with renowned Manipuri filmmaker and Padma Shri awardee Aribam Syam Sharma, who delivered a special lecture on regional cinema in Manipur. A former Head of the Department of Philosophy at DM College of Arts himself, Aribam Syam Sharma spoke extensively on filmmaking, culture, society, and the power of visual storytelling in preserving collective memory and identity.
The programme also featured screenings of the documentary Yelhou Jagoi and the internationally acclaimed feature film Imagi Ningthem, both of which received keen appreciation from the audience.
Faculty members and students actively participated in the discussions and interaction sessions throughout the programme, which aimed to encourage interdisciplinary engagement with cinema and visual culture from philosophical perspectives.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by N. Rajen Singh, Head of the Department of Philosophy.