Documentary on Wareppa Naba selected for 29th KIFF 2023
- December 5th to 12th 2023 : Kolkata International Film Festival -
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Wareppa Naba :: Theatre Actor :: Pix Courtessy - Daniel Chabungbam
Bobby Wahengbam's documentary, "Padma Shri Wareppa Naba: Rituals to Mainstream", is set for screening at the prestigious 29th Kolkata International Film Festival from December 5 to 12 2023.
The film, centered on the artistic contributions of renowned Manipuri theatre and Shumang Leela exponent Wareppa Naba, has been selected for in the short and documentary panorama on the closing day of the festival at Nandan-III at 5 pm.
This recognition is a significant achievement for Bobby Wahengbam, as the Kolkata International Film Festival is one of the few FIAPF-accredited him festivals globally and a flagship event of the Government of West Bengal.
Another Manipuri film 'Joseph's Son' by Paban Haobam is also part of the festival's lineup. FIAPF, known as the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, regulates major international film festivals. In India, only five film festivals, including the Kolkata event, have received FIAPF accreditation.
'Padma Shri Wareppa Naba: Rituals to Mainstream' chronicles the extraordinary journey of Wareppa Naba, a visionary artiste, director, and mentor. The film highlights his successful efforts in redehning traditional and ritualistic performing arts, making them contemporary while preserving their authenticity and uniqueness.
Wareppa Naba, a Padma Shri awardee in 2017, dedicated his life to practicing various forms of theatre, folk arts, classical dance, and the traditional populist open-air touring theatre form of Shumang Leela. The documentary emphasises Naba's commitment to exploring and preserving different narrative art forms practiced as oral traditions, rituals and aspects of everyday life.
His amalgamation of various art forms in his scheme not only makes his body of works unique but also saves some dying arts from extinction. Aesthetics of such art forms are dexterously weaved in the carving of the very popular masses theatre of Shumang Leela plays, He remains one of the most respected and reliable pedestals of performing art forms and the Shumang Leela tradition.
Wareppa Naba remains a highly respected figure in the realm of performing arts and the Shumang Leela tradition.
Bobby Wahengbam, a prominent figure in Indian and Manipuri cinema, is a two-time National Film Award winner. His notable films, such as 'From Orphanage to Olympics,' 'Soft Target', 'Roshni', 'Apaiba Leichil' and 'Eigi Kona,' have been showcased in various reputed film festivals worldwide.
Bobby Wahengbam, known for his academic contributions to cinema, had also served as a jury member for the Indian Panorama, Non-Feature, IFFI, Goa.
The documentary's crew includes cinematographer Bobo Heekhomba, assistant cinematographer Naoba, sound designers Rajkumar Lalmani and Romi Lamabam, graphics artists Chalamba Laikharam and Khumans, and equipment managers Naocha and Leerol. The post-production is handled by Mangai Films and Manipur State Film Development Society, with editing by Rajkumar Lalmani.
Other key contributors include subject specialist Maipaksana Haorongbam, associate director Leishemba Laikharam, and production executive Nazi Wahengbam.
'Padma Shri Wareppa Naba: Rituals to Mainstream' is produced by Films Division, Mumbai.
Read a completed profile on Wareppa Naba here
* This article is a news piece from The People's Chronicle on December 03
This article was webcasted on December 03 2023.
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