Filmy Honour
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: February 01, 2014 -

Govt job for 4 film personalities :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

Though Manipur may have joined the race of film-making in India more than half-a-century late, the number of highly acclaimed and award winning films, both at the National and International level, that the nascent film industry, has been churning out against all odds over the years has been simply astounding.

And it has also been to the envy of other more developed States.

So, from April 9, 1972, when the first full-length feature film in Manipuri, ‘Matamgi Manipur’ was released simultaneously at Usha Cinema and Friends Talkies in Imphal and at Azad Cinema in Kakching, Thoubal district to January 29, 2014, when the State Cabinet came up with the decision of offering Government jobs to four film personalities who have bagged national and international awards, it is indeed a giant leap forward for the Manipuri cinema.

And, we really appreciate the fact that the Government of Manipur, which has been for long accused of closing its eyes and ears to the numerous problems faced by the filmmakers and artistes in the State, and not without valid reasons; has finally awaken to the need for paying necessary attention as well towards the development of Manipuri film industry, which has made no less contribution in introducing the State to the rest of the world, besides sports and art & culture.

However, we feel that there are certain things that the Government would need to do to amend for doing full justice of honouring the four selected film personalities along with five Everesters and a body builder with Government jobs.

Of course, Anoubam Kiranmala, who gave a powerful performance in Ishanou and went on to win the Special Mention Award in the category of Uncertain Regard of Cannes International Film Festival, France, 1991; Taorem Lekhendra, who won the Best Child Actor Award at the National Film Festival, 1982 for his role in Imagi Ningthem, which also won the Golden Montgolfiere or Grand Prix at the Nante International Film Festival, 1982; Leishangthem Tonthoinganbi who won the Best Supporting Actress Award for her down to earth-acting skill in Phijigee Mani at the 59th National Film Awards, 2011 and and cameraman Irom Maipak who won the Best Cinematographer Award at the 49th National Film Awards for the documentary film The Monpas of Arunachal Pradesh deserve all the honour that could be showered upon them by the Government. But as the State Cabinet decision of offering Government jobs has come rather late, it is not going to be so much of an honour for some who are already in Government service.

And, to say that since they are already in Government service, they would not be considered for the offer even though they were selected for the offer sound so ridiculous.

If not the job offer, at least some other form of incentives to honour them could be thought of.

All these confusions could have also been done away with if there had been a concrete film policy of the State.

On the other hand, the due recognition that the Government of Manipur has finally given to the film industry should be a wake up call for the rest of the film makers and artistes in the State to come with their own unique style of works, which could be differentiated from the run-of- the-mill types for the world to sit up and take notice.