Beauty and the Blunders of Manipuri music videos

Ceilthojm *

Scene from Music Video "Hey Thammoi" :: Pix Courtesy - Binoranjan

There was a "Tapthakho nungbu". There was an "Ureinung". Then follows the trend of bad Manipuri music videos.

I don't mean to discourage the art or the hard work of the people behind all those Manipuri music videos. But as I watched more and more music videos, it always seems to be following the same style, design, lyrics, cinematography, story-line, music etc.

In the course of time, trying to copy the formula of success, most of them (music videos) fall flat. Of course it will... copying is also an art. If you don't know how to copy, even during exams, you will be caught for cheating and expelled from the examination hall and you then you will fail!

With the "Thoibi" cut and traditional costumes, a music video is always heart pounding and emotional because it reflects our culture. But if there is no synchronisation then everything becomes a mess just like a mashed potato. Simplicity is always the trump card for our culture and it is so beautiful when portrayed in any music form. But this is not the sole recipe for a success formula.

Bulu Maisnam and June Neelu's "Nungdi Laklaroi" was also a beautiful piece though it does not have any traditional Manipuri culture. Content is not always the road to success, how you present the content also matters a lot.

"Eisu Thamoi Panbini" had a very simple theme but the way it was presented just took away everybody's heart.

One more thing that needs to be observed and rectified is the bits and pieces that remained unacknowledged by the makers but quite visible to the audiences. Sometimes, the video-makers just make the video in a hurry and wind up the work without perfecting it. The final result is sometimes incomplete and it is disheartening.

A personal point of view is that I hate those music videos with so much of typical Indian tunes and music. There are even some videos where the costumes are traditional Manipuri attires and the music and dances are so 'Bollywood', as we call it. Bollywood music is also good and is suited for their videos and steps but it does not suit our Manipuri culture, costume and music. The two (Bollywood + Manipuri culture, costume and music) look such a miss-match.

Picking up the very typical ways of living in a Manipuri video is so eye pleasing to watch and heartening. For example, songs based on "Chinghi", "Kombirei" etc. are a real treat.

I really appreciate and look forward to any kind of Manipuri music, if it is made properly with quality and maintaining the purity, it enhances the beauty of the video. There are lots of improvements to be made in the video quality, cinematography, music, singers, lyrics, plots and other aspects. I am sure, it will improve further and will be a pleasure to watch, someday.

Keep it going folks. Let's make the world hum to our tunes.