MSFDS mourns demise of Thongram Haridas
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 18 2021: Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) has mourned the untimely demise of Padmashri Thongram Haridas, who passed away at his Khagempalli residence on September 15.While sharing the grief of the bereaved family, MSFDS secretary Sunzu said in a release that departure of Haridas, who was an active film promoter, is an irreversible loss for the entire film community of Manipur.

Haridas was initiated into the world of cinema when he joined hands with the Laishram family and set up the Friends Talkies.

Subsequently, he split from the partnership and established Usha Cinema on his own in Paona Bazar and did brisk business, becoming one of the most popular cinema halls of Manipur.

Being a lover of the motion picture, Haridas wanted to establish the best cinema hall in Manipur.

This motive led him to visit the best cinema halls of India and eventually established Asha and Jina Talkies in Imphal, the release said.

Haridas was also a successful English film distributor, distributing films of 20th Century Fox Pictures, Paramount Pictures, MGM Pictures, etc., to the cinema halls in the entire northeast India, it said, and recounted that Harida's passion for cinema went beyond exhibition and distribution.

He also produced 'Khuthang Lamjel', scripted and directed by GC Tongbra in 1979 .

Incidentally, Haridas, in an interview with Doordarshan Kendra Imphal claimed he made substantial financial contribution for the completion of the Brojendrogee Luhongba, the first Manipuri feature film by a Manipuri director, namely SN Chand.

In honour of the departed soul, two-minute silence was observed, followed by a candle light vigil at the Monolith of Manipuri Cinema at MSFDS complex, the release said.

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