Celebrating the birth of Manipuri cinema: Film fraternity observes 'Mami Numit'

Like every year Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) in association with Film Forum Manipur observed “Mami Numit” on April 9, a day that mark the birth of Manipuri cinema. 

 

As a part of the program 3rd Foundation Day of SN Chand Cine Archive and Museum was also celebrated. During the programme seminar on Film Archiving and Preservation was conducted. The whole function was held at premises of MSFDS, Palace Compound, Imphal East.

 

This ceremony, held as remembrance of the release of first Manipuri feature film “Matamgee Manipur” on 9th April 1972, begins by playing floral tribute to at the memorial stone of Manipuri cinema. It was followed by formal function where short documentary of film archiving was also screened. 

 

Addressing the function as chief guest, commissioner of Art and Culture, M Joy Singh said that 1972 is the remarkable year in the history of Manipur as many big achievements was brought in this year. Some of them are first Manipuri feature film “Matamgee Manipur” was released, state got statehood, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences erstwhile RMC was established etc. 

 

He further said that though Manipur is a small state but not lagging behind in the field of film. From 1972 to 1997 as many as 28 feature films was produced in the state. Even the present generation are doing really well to preserve and promote Manipuri film. 

 

“In this five decades, as many as 39 number of Manipuri film had received national award. There is high expectation and hope that the present generation and future generation will bring more laurel in the field of film,” he expressed. 

 

Secretary of MSFDS, Sunzu Bachaspatimayum said that film being a human visual evidence and authentic record of human civilization, it plays pivotal role in shaping the society. With this concept, MFSDS in association with Film Forum Manipur has taken up various activities for promotion and preservation of Manipuri film. 

 

Last year, Manipur had celebrated yearlong golden jubilee celebration of Manipuri cinema. 

 

As a part of the programme, a five-day long international film festival under the banner “Imphal International Film Festival” was held where six countries were attended. The festival was conducted under the sponsorship of directorate of the Film Festival. Besides this, 1st multi lingual film festival for 16 days was also organised.

In this festival as many as 68 films of different dialects of Manipur including the Meiteiron language was screened, he informed.

 

He further said that with the inception of SN Chand Cine Archive and Museum, they started collecting old movies for digitization and restoration.

 

So far Manipur film “Brojendra gee Luhongba” was successfully digitized and now Manipur film “Ishanou” is under process for restoration. Such an exercise is being carried out under the guidance of the Film Heritage Foundation. 

 

The programme was also attended by the doyen of Manipuri Cinema, Aribam Shyam Sharma, and chairman of Film Forum Manipur, Laimayum Surjakanta as a guest of honour and president. Many film personalities were also attended the programme.