Ethnographic Tangkhul film Kungyee screened at Ukhrul
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, November 06 2013: The promotional screening of the film Kungyee, an ethnographic Tangkhul documentary film selected for world premiere at Aperture Festival at Melbourne, Australia during Nov 21 -23 was held at Ukhrul Talkies, AR hall, Ukhrul today.

Kungyee is among the 13 films selected for world premiere at Aperture Festival at Melbourne, Australia for Experimental Ethnographic films programme and 17 films for cinematic programme.

The film will be screened along with other selected documentaries in the Yasuko Hiraoka Myer room, Sydney Myer Asia Centre, the University of Melbourne.

The documentary film Kungyee is about the rituals, invoking rain, practised by the Tangkhul Naga tribe.

Kungyee is set in Ningthi village under Kamjong Sub division, Ukhrul District.

The film documents the dying rituals of rain invocation among the Tangkhul Nagas particularly after the sowing of seeds at jhum fields.

The documentary shows the lifestyles of the natives, community bonding through this ritual and the present form of Kungyee practised at present, though slight changes with the advent of Christianity in the area.

The documentary film Kungyee is directed by Chaoba Thiyam and produced by Pamreiso Shimray.

Pamreiso said the crew members took 8 days to shoot the film in 2012 at Ningthi village.

The documentary film was first released at a Film Fest on Tangkhul Culture in Shillong 2013 at NEC state of art Auditorium.

He said the film receiving international recognition was no mean feat while expressing gratitude to CO of 41 Assam Rifles for sponsoring the pre-screening programme at Ukhrul Talkies, KVS group and other for co sponsoring.

Representatives of student and social organisations like TSL, TKS, ZTKL, HKL, THYSO, RKL, intellectuals and well wishers attended the pre screening of Kungyee today.

The chief guest Col Gaurav Bose, Comdt 41 AR, Ukhrul hailed the dedication and efforts of the film maker and his achievement to take the film to International silver screen.

He further assured assistance from his ends to those who wish to take up promotional activities.

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