Meitei cinema explained

Meitei cinema
Maniwood
Distributors:
  • Film Forum Manipur (FFM)
  • Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS)
Produced Total:60-70[1] [2]

Meitei cinema (mni|{{Script|Mtei|Meitei Mami Kumhei), also known as Maniwood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language), widely spoken in the state of Manipur. The popular term Maniwood, is a portmanteau of "Manipuri" (official name of Meitei) and "Hollywood". Since its inception, Meitei cinema has played a significant role in the Meitei linguistic purism movement, often emphasizing proper Meitei language in place of pidgin dialects.[3]

The origins of Meitei cinema date back to mni|[[Matamgi Manipur]]|Today's Manipur, released in 1972 as the first full-length Meitei-language film and the first film made in Manipur.[4] [5] The film won the President's Medal at the 20th National Film Awards, establishing a milestone in Manipuri cinema.[6] Another landmark came with mni|[[Imagi Ningthem]]|[[My Son, My Precious]] in 1981, which brought international recognition by winning the Golden Montgolfiere at the 1982 Festival des 3 Continents in Nantes, elevating Indian cinema on the global stage.[7] [8]

In 1990, mni|[[Ishanou]]|[[The Chosen One (1990 film)|The Chosen One]] gained further acclaim, being screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.[9] This film was re-recognized in 2023 by Cannes as a "World Classic," marking its significance as the only Indian film selected for the event that year.[10] [11] [12] Additionally, mni|[[Keibu Keioiba]]|[[Tiger-Head]] became the first animation film in the Meitei language and in Manipuri cinema in 2009.[13] [14] [15]

Reflecting local culture, since 2012, Maniwood has observed a dress code guideline: “If you wear jeans thrice on screen, you have to wear Manipuri dresses four times.” This practice reflects the Maniwood culture’s dedication to representing the Manipuri lifestyle and traditional attire. According to acclaimed director Aribam Syam Sharma, Meitei cinema authentically portrays the way of life and thinking of the Manipuri people.[16]

Today, Ishanou, Oneness, and Eikhoigi Yum are among the top-rated Manipuri films on IMDb as of 2023, showcasing the enduring appeal of Meitei cinema among audiences.[17]

History

Era of celluloid classic feature films (1972-1989)

YearOriginal Title
RomanizationDirectorProducerBannerFormatNote(s)/Reference(s)
1972Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|[[ꯃꯇꯝꯒꯤ ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔ]]Manipuri: {{Script|Latn|[[Matamgee Manipur]]Deb Kumar BoseK. ManimohanT.K. Films Private Ltd.35mm Black and White[18] [19]
1973Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|[[ꯕ꯭ꯔꯣꯖꯦꯟꯗ꯭ꯔꯣ ꯒꯤ ꯂꯨꯍꯣꯡꯕ]]Manipuri: {{Script|Latn|[[Brojendra Gee Luhongba]]S.N. ChandS.N. ChandSajatia Pictures35mm Black and White
1974Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|[[ꯂꯝꯖꯥ ꯄꯔꯁꯨꯔꯥꯝ]]Manipuri: {{Script|Latn|[[Lamja Parsuram]]Aribam Syam SharmaG. Narayan SharmaN.S. Films35mm Black and White
1974Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|ꯉꯛ-ꯏ-ꯀꯣ ꯅꯪꯁꯦManipuri: {{Script|Latn|Ngak-E-Ko NangseS.N. ChandW. Basant KumarPoonam Films35mm Black and White
1976Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|[[ꯁꯥꯐꯕꯤ]]Manipuri: {{Script|Latn|[[Shaphabee]]Aribam Syam SharmaG. Narayan SharmaN.S. Films35mm Black and White
1979Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|ꯈꯨꯊꯥꯡ ꯂꯝꯖꯦꯜManipuri: {{Script|Latn|Khuthang LamjelG.C. TongbraTh. HaridasA.T. Films35mm Black and White (some parts were colour)
1979Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|[[ꯑꯣꯂꯥꯡꯊꯥꯒꯤ ꯋꯥꯡꯃꯗꯁꯨ]]Manipuri: {{Script|Latn|[[Olangthagee Wangmadasoo]]Aribam Syam SharmaG. Narayan SharmaN.S. Films35mm Black and White
1981Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|[[ꯏꯃꯥꯒꯤ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯦꯝ]]Manipuri: {{Script|Latn|[[Imagee Ningthem]]Aribam Syam SharmaK. Ibohal SharmaX-Cine Productions16mm Converted to 35mm blowup (Black and White)
1981Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|ꯈꯣꯟꯖꯦꯜManipuri: {{Script|Latn|KhonjelM.NilamaniM.NilamaniAnjana Films35mm Black and White
1981Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|ꯋꯥꯡꯃ ꯋꯥꯡꯃManipuri: {{Script|Latn|Wangma WangmaL. Banka SharmaL. ShyamsundarEastern Star Films35mm Black and White
1983Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|[[ꯁꯅꯥꯀꯩꯊꯦꯜ]]Manipuri: {{Script|Latn|[[Sanakeithel]]M.A. SinghDoren ThoudamA.T.B. Films International (India)35mm Black and White
1984Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|ꯂꯥꯡꯂꯦꯟ ꯊꯥꯗꯣꯏManipuri: {{Script|Latn|Langlen ThadoiM.A. SinghKh. Shakhi DeviKay Pee Films International (India)16mm Convert-ed to 35mm blowup (Colour)
1984Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|ꯌꯥꯏꯔꯤꯄꯣꯛ ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯜꯅꯨManipuri: {{Script|Latn|Yairipok ThambalnuL. Banka SharmaH. GehendraLiberty Films35mm Black and White
1987Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|ꯏꯆꯦ ꯁꯈꯤManipuri: {{Script|Latn|Eche ShakhiDoren Thoudam & H. IbotombiDoren ThoudamA.T.B. Films International (India)16mm Converted to 35mm blowup Colour
1989Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|[[ꯀꯣꯝꯕꯤꯔꯩ]]Manipuri: {{Script|Latn|[[Kombirei]]G. Narayan SharmaG. Narayan SharmaN.S. Films35mm Colour

Cast and crew

Actors

Actresses

Directors

Awards

National Film Awards

Bilingualism

Many Meitei language films have been made with other languages simultaneously.

Meitei and English

Year Title Director(s) Ref
2011Fried Fish, Chicken Soup and a Premiere ShowMamta Murthy[20]
2013Manipuri Pony (film)Aribam Syam Sharma
2018Who Said Boys Can't Wear Makeup?Priyakanta Laishram[21]
2024Oneness (film)Priyakanta Laishram[22]

Meitei and Tangkhul

Notable films

See main article: List of Meitei-language films.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2014-09-09 . 'Mary Kom' earns Rs 28.32 cr at box office in first weekend . 2023-07-31 . Business Today . en . ... Meanwhile, producers are trying to release the film in Kom's hometown, where around 60 to 70 films in Meitei language are made in a year. ....
  2. Web site: Bag . Shamik . 2015-10-10 . Being a movie buff in Imphal . 2023-07-31 . mint . en.
  3. Web site: Bag . Shamik . 2015-10-10 . Being a movie buff in Imphal . 2023-07-31 . mint . en.
  4. Web site: Matamgi Manipur on Moviebuff.com . 2023-07-31 . Moviebuff.com.
  5. Web site: Manipuri cinema in the last three decades . 2023-07-31 . e-pao.net.
  6. Web site: Now Showing MATAMGI MANIPUR . 2023-07-31 . www.e-pao.net.
  7. Web site: Digitised Imagi Ningthem screened at Pune film fest : 15th jan14 ~ E-Pao! Headlines . 2023-07-31 . e-pao.net.
  8. News: 2022-04-06 . New book traces journey of Manipuri cinema . 2023-07-31 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  9. Web site: Festival de Cannes: The Chosen One . 10 August 2009 . festival-cannes.com.
  10. News: 2023-05-06 . Manipuri feature film 'ISHANOU' recognised as World Classic . 2023-07-31 . The Economic Times . 0013-0389.
  11. Web site: Aribam Syam Sharma's ISHANOU recognised as World Classic . 2023-07-31 . . en.
  12. Web site: Manipuri Film 'Ishanou' Becomes India's Only Restored Film To Be Screened At Cannes 2023 . Outlook India.
  13. Web site: Singh . Naorem Nishikanta . 2013-11-07 . Bhumenjoy Konsam on the Chemistry of Making Keibu-Kei-Oiba – Part II Manipur Times . 2023-07-31 . en-US.
  14. Web site: Manipur fable from Shrek stable - Pune-based visual designer makes region's first animation film . 2023-07-31 . www.telegraphindia.com . en.
  15. Web site: Singh . Naorem Nishikanta . 2013-10-22 . Bhumenjoy Konsam on the Chemistry of Making Keibu-Kei-Oiba – Part I Manipur Times . 2023-07-31 . en-US.
  16. Web site: Bag . Shamik . 2015-10-10 . Being a movie buff in Imphal . 2023-07-31 . mint . en.
  17. News: 22 August 2023 . Ishanou, Oneness, and Eikhoigi Yum become IMDb's top 3 Manipuri movies . 23 August 2023 . East Mojo.
  18. Web site: major film - E-rang Classic :: E-pao Movie Channel . 2023-08-09 . e-pao.org.
  19. Web site: Manipuri Feature Films 1972 1997 - E-rang Classic . 2023-08-09 .
  20. Web site: Top film festival with unique selection processBandra Film Festival . 2023-07-31 . www.bandrafilmfestival.com . en.
  21. News: 3 October 2023 . Manipuri-English film promoting gender-neutral fashion to be screened in Mumbai . 7 October 2023.
  22. News: 25 April 2022 . A Manipur film tackles sexual identity for first time . The Indian Express . 14 August 2023.
  23. Web site: My Japanese Niece Movie Review (2015) - Rating, Cast & Crew With Synopsis . 2023-07-31 . nettv4u . en.
  24. Web site: Times . Manipur . 2013-03-19 . "My Japanese Niece" – a masterpiece from Mohen Naorem Manipur Times . 2023-07-31 . en-US.
  25. Web site: 100 Thai soldiers to act in Manipuri film 'My Japanese Niece' : 19th mar13 ~ E-Pao! Headlines . 2023-07-31 . e-pao.net.
  26. Web site: Clã gravam video no Porto com a cantora indiana Mangka . 2023-07-31 . Força de Produção . pt.
  27. Web site: Films by R. V. Ramani . 2023-07-31 . LANGUAGE OF WAR 50 minutes, Tamil/Manipuri, 1996. Photographed, Edited, Directed and Produced by R.V.Ramani.
  28. Web site: Nine Hills, One Valley wins special mention award in NFDC's Film Bazaar Another feather in the cap for Paban Kumar . 2023-07-31 . www.thesangaiexpress.com . en.