Manipuri cinema turns fifty today
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 08 2022: The birth of Manipuri cinema which began with first Manipuri feature him 'Matamgi Manipur' 50 years ago on April 9,1972 appearing on the silver screen, will be celebrated as Mami Numit' on Saturday as a part of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipuri Cinema.

The celebration will begin from 8:30 am with lighting of the inaugural lamp and offering of floral tributes at the 'Ningsing Nungbi, Manipuri Cinema'/Memorial Stone of Manipuri Cinema, erected inside the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) complex, said a release by MSFDS secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum.

The function will be attended by Art and Culture commissioner M Joy Singh, award winning film critic Meghachandra Kongbam and Film Forum Manipur chairman Samjetsabam Mangoljao as chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.

In the evening, Governor La Ganesan will distribute the prestigious Manipur State Film Awards with minister Awangbow Newmai presiding over the awards ceremony.

The awards distribution will be followed by the screening of the best non feature, 'Ayekpa Singee Pukhei' by Debendro Thiyam and best feature awarding films, 'Eikhoigi Yum' by Romi Meitei.

Modelled after the prestigious National Film Awards, the Manipur State Film Award was instituted in 1984 to encourage the production of films of aesthetic and technical excellence and social relevance contributing to the understanding and appreciation of cultures of different communities living together in Manipur in cinematic form, thereby promoting unity and integrity of the state.

The State Awards also aim at encouraging the study and appreciation of cinema as an art form and dissemination of information and critical appreciation of this art form through publication of books, articles, reviews etc.

The award carries a Maibi Memento, cash prize and a citation.

The 14th edition of Manipur State Film Awards 2022 accepted entries of films censored in 2020 and 2021 as Covid-19 pandemic also had its impact in the film practice in Manipur and the awards could not be organised.

The release also informed that with the golden jubilee celebration coming to a close, Palace Auditorium of MSFDS will come to life with the Festival of Cinemas of Manipur from April 14 to 29.Besides screening of landmark Manipuri films, the first bilingual festival would also feature films made in indigenous dialects spoken in the state as a special attraction and to showcase the importance of preserving the state's cinematic heritage.

The restored 4K format of the first film by a Manipuri filmmaker, SN Chand, 'Brojendrogi Luhongba' will also be screened, it added.

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