TODAY -

E-Pao! EI - Making the Khasi video-Mawlynnai

Making the Khasi video-Mawlynnai

By: Oinam Doren*



There are so many things I am proud of Shillong; the Shillong cool weather due to the AC installed by Jesus Christ in celestial Cathedral church, the quintessential herbal Kwai making all the Khasi girls unfit for kissing, the flourishing educational institutes run by catholic missionaries, the seductive girls from all over the northeast headed by Raisa Deb Barma, NE-Mega model 2004 vanquishing the male libido consequently breeding confused races, the kingly Lou Majaw, mesmerizing music videos by Pradeep Kurbah and Jova's compact DVD store in Police bazaar where you get some of the best non-adult movies. Now see what happens when some Khasi, a Mizo and a Manipuri get together in some corner in Shillong.

The first time when I saw Khasi Don and Khasi Jimmy pompously striding down Laitumkhrah road in their boisterous bikes, I thought these guys must be a******s. They didn't look intelligent. They didn't look clever. They didn't look creative. But when I listen to their diligently crafted song Mawlynnai, I became the biggest a*****e. I promptly got converted into a Snowhite fan. And I have to make a music video on this song to promote their new album-URANGDAJIED.

Making a good music video usually can cost 31 thousand and 75 paise and can go up to 49 lakhs and 55 paise. But Snowhite as a band didn't have any collective bank balance other than the band members' huge personal accounts. The money that Snowhite have earned from stage gigs, have they spent it on drugs, booze and whores? Ask Snowhite if you are an a*****e. The only assets we had was the lovely song Mawlynnai by this Khasi band, Mizo Reuben's Canon XL1 camera bought from remote Australia, Manipuri Doren's strong aesthetic and technical sense lauded even in bihar and our biggest asset FAITH. The Bible says 'Faith can move mountains'. We were planning not to move any mountains in Shillong and alter Meghalaya's geography. We just wanted to make a good music video.

In the first scene, Khasi Jimmy - the drummer plays a Khasi warrior. Mini-kong Darinia, our asst. director and make up artist had to use cow's blood that could eradicate bulls' miles away on Jimmy's face. In fact the bull Jimmy got almost eradicated. He felt sick.

In the second scene, I wanted to shoot in chroma key, which needed a good well-lit studio with a blue screen. I wanted to show Bahep, the lead guitarist running in the nude with Shillong's fast traffic in the background. Hiring a good studio required a good deal of budget that could eradicate the Khasi band Snowhite from this planet before completing their first music video. But we had a novel idea. We borrowed Mizo Maria's sun gun lights and Khasi Don's blue coarse plastic sheet used to cover his monster bike. It was fun shooting, not Bahep's nudity but the cheapest guerilla production technique.

In the third scene, Timmy the vocalist with the power chord needed to be painted in yellow. We decided to hire Laitumkhrah painter, the wistful Leo. We honestly bribed him with kwai, persuaded him with bidi. If it didn't work, our last option was to kidnap his doting mother. Timmy's scene also needed an exceptional studio with gigantic white screens. I instinctively knew too many slipshod compromises could eradicate me from this tough profession. Poor Jimmy was almost eradicated. But we apprehensively had to be contented in Golf link against the blue sky.

In the last scene, Khasi Don the bassist and talented lyricist play an inquisitive philosopher. We shot in Seng Khasi College where he teaches with candlelights. For the band's shoot in Rudy Walang's studio, he charged us by the hour. I think none of us unequivocally tried to fool him about the money. He looked cleverer than all of us. He looked smarter than all of us. We also acknowledge Merina, the beautiful Mawlai chick for the graveyard scene, the dancers and supporters from Seng Khasi institute of dance and music.

Our last stop was Mawdong Vision in Laitumkhrah own by Khasi Ampareen Lyngdoh (my weird ex-professor) with Khasi Andreas technically supporting the studio as editor. I guess we were technically smart enough to extract more tea, biscuits and kwai from her house than the economical fees we paid her. I hope kong Ampareen didn't have to consequently sell her non-linear editing machine to pay for her gruesome grocery bills. A chance encounter with NeTV channel Chairman & Managing director, the flamboyant Manoranjana Sihn to show the video in her channel didn't finalize, as the time wasn't ripe.

Ajtak and Headlines Today showed clippings of Mawlynnai video in my interview. People who have watched the video are wild about its strong concept but honestly said it lack the technical excellence like other professional music videos, the ones you see on MTV. Well how much can you achieve with a camera and all the equipments and technical compromises. If people who have seen the Mawlynnai video like it, give the credit to Manipuri Doren, his associate Mizo Reuben and his non-mizo partner Canon XL1 camera. If you hate it, blame Snowhite.

Snowhite has recently release their new album-URANGDAJIED. I assure you this guys are really talented. Please do get an album of URANGDAJIED - the ultimate in khasi rock. Please support local bands. Please support khasi rock.

Read other articles by the writer
When a Manipuri filmmaker met Delhi - Episode 01 :: Baptism with Bahadur
When a Manipuri filmmaker met Delhi - Episode 02 :: Absolute struggle for identity
When a Manipuri filmmaker met Delhi - Episode 03 :: The Manipuri identity
Oinam Doren is a DV filmmaker based in Delhi. The writer has recently released a manipuri soundtrack album-KOKEN. He is currently burning his a** with his feature film-LITTLE MONK. You can contact him at [email protected]

* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Abdul Hafiz graveyard at Imphal War Cemetery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2026 : Timeline
  • Homecoming : Exhibition at Washington DC
  • Why NSCN-IM & ZUF must preserve Naga
  • The Funeral of Kindness :: Poem
  • Dignified menstruation for gender equality
  • World Environment Day 2026
  • Welcomes New DGP
  • Coming together of the indigenes
  • Martyrs' Day @ Cheiraoching #3 : Gallery
  • Showcasing product from IDPs at Switzerland
  • The abduction & 'murder' of 6 Naga civilians
  • Why keep returning to Regional Politics ?
  • One missed coffee & a full existential crisis
  • Trekking, Camping banned in Nongmaiching
  • Avocados Cultivation Programme at Pangin
  • Guwahati Open PWR 200 concluded
  • Focus on flip flop stand of the UNC
  • The King Who Came from the Sky: Pakhangpa
  • SoO : An assault on native people of Manipur
  • Manipur - Example of Underdevelopment
  • Cries in Agony :: Poem
  • 'CCpur & Kpi Road no longer safe'
  • Home Ground: Meghalaya Future of Tourism
  • Burnout healthcare staff & patient safety
  • Fate of hostages : Flip of the coin ?
  • Chakan Gang-Ngai 2026 : Ooba Video
  • Unfinished requiem- Linthoingambi & Hemanjit
  • "Ningol Van" Launched at Taobungkhok
  • Calm reflection vis a vis brute violence : Poem
  • Foundation Days of States/UT
  • World No Tobacco Day 2026
  • Breast Cancer Awareness in Guwahati
  • Licensed to create mayhem ?
  • How to Break Manipur w/o Breaking Any Laws
  • 17th Manipur State Film Awards (MSFA), 2025
  • World We Make, World That Makes Us : Poem
  • Counting Right, Voting Right: What SIR means
  • Calls on Indonesia to ratify tobacco treaty
  • Honourable exit for Ashutosh & Kailun
  • Police Museum at 1st Manipur Rifles
  • Eid-Ul-Zuha @Sangaiyumpham : Gallery
  • June Calendar for Year 2026 : Tools
  • 16th Manipur State Film Awards (MSFA), 2024
  • KIM's proposed rally must be called off
  • International Menstrual Hygiene Day
  • Plants : The force that engineered Earth
  • AC: How does it affect the skin ?
  • Onslaughts at Ukhrul district
  • Lhangpat Mei @Keishamthong #2: Gallery
  • Anthem of Switland :: Poem
  • CM visits Makhan Naga Village
  • Manipur University needs fresh air
  • False Narrative on Killing of Thadou Christian
  • Summer Coaching Camp 2026 @NSU
  • Tribute to Pu Mangvung Paokholun Haokip
  • Incursion from across the border
  • Radio E-pao: 5 new songs updated
  • Manipuri Community in Assam Calls for Vision
  • School dropouts & never-enrolled children
  • M. Tech at Assam University
  • Under One Sky or Leased ? :: Poem
  • When AI speaks in tribal languages
  • 'The Unbecoming' makes Northeast debut
  • After crossing the three year mark
  • Cheirao-chingkaba on Cheiraoba #2: Gallery
  • Anoi Group Art Exhibition 2026 : Download
  • Exploring Hyderabad's Museums #1
  • Maharaja Garib Niwaz : Manipuri civilisation #4
  • IEC Campaign at Willong Khullen
  • World Emergency Medicine Day 2026
  • Liver & GI super-speciality clinic
  • Adding more muscle to State Police
  • Rally at New Checkon- May 25 : Gallery
  • Hritwika Majumder at Miss Grand India 2026
  • How social media fuels division & ethnic tension
  • Saving Manipur's vanishing paddy & wetland
  • Helpline for Thadou people
  • 477 new Manipur Police Vehicles
  • NDPP-NPF merger accepted by ECI
  • Seeking to pitch Nagas against Meiteis
  • 63rd Mr. Manipur #3 : Gallery
  • Why CJP resonates with Manipur's youth
  • A moral, humanitarian reflection on violence
  • Financial assistance to IDPs
  • Legally binding treaty for older persons
  • Zoonotic Disease : Link animal & human
  • Jealous of Meloni
  • Making the bodies disappear !
  • Yaoshang - Cooking Competition : Gallery
  • Manipur State Award for Literature 2024
  • Manipur's unresolved Political Journey
  • 'Kuki is not an ethnic name'
  • Miyawaki Plantation Experiment at Langol
  • A Ploy to Keep the Chasm Wide Open : Poem
  • 45th Water India Expo 2026
  • Beating of the Retreat #1: Gallery
  • Martyred Rev Dr Vumthang Sitlhou
  • When Ima Weeps in Silence :: Poem
  • International Eld's Deer Day
  • Sticking to a consistent narrative
  • Arms recovered from Lamdeng: Gallery
  • Khatingla, Sumpa, Gaikhuluanlung : Eming
  • Exploring Kolkata: College Street #1
  • Wetland grabbing, hydropower, & ecologies
  • Condoles Demise of Khangembam Kuleswar
  • Upgradation of Imp-Jiri road: Poor planning
  • IEC Campaign at Phaibung, Senapati
  • In a mess for over 3 years now
  • The King Who Built a Golden Bridge : Kyampa
  • Mother's Day at Pukhao : Gallery
  • Manipur in India Constitutional Transition #3
  • Satyajit Ray's universal language
  • Decoding MLR & LR Act, 1960 & Article 371C
  • National Endangered Species Day 2026
  • India-New Zealand step into a new eco league
  • Posers over fate of abducted 6 Naga men
  • Sit-in protest @Kanglatongbi [May 18]: Gallery
  • Why communities must abandon hostility
  • Apatani's Next Top Model @Arunachal
  • The Fog of Uncertainty :: Poem
  • IEC Campaign at Song Song, Senapati
  • Supports TIM Proposal for Thadou-Naga
  • NE's Largest Psychiatric Hospital
  • Triangular clash underway in Manipur
  • Lamjen @ Thangjing Haraoba #1: Gallery
  • From Sympathy to Supremacy :: Poem
  • History repeats itself
  • Church Teams to visit Kangpokpi & Senapati
  • Workshop on Analytical Chromatography
  • Criminal Neglect, Terror Shielding
  • Summer make-up tricks to beat the heat
  • Pulling the strings to block the highways
  • Manipur Art Festival 2025 #3: Gallery
  • Manipur fermented food & scientific recognition
  • Seminar : Development of NE Region
  • World Hypertension Day 2026
  • Demands NIA Probe into Killing of Thadous
  • Suspected cases of Ranikhet Disease
  • PM's prescriptions & we
  • Flexing muscle on the roads of Imphal
  • Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #2: Gallery
  • Maharaja Garib Niwaz : Manipuri civilisation #3
  • The Dreamer's Dilemma :: Poem
  • Calls for Community Understanding
  • CM visits National Sports University
  • Condemns malicious press release
  • Reconnecting with our cultural roots
  • Condoles Death of Thadou Church Leaders
  • Yumjao Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur in India Constitutional Transition #2
  • Chronicle of princes & people's long defeat
  • SIR of Electoral Roll-Phase III
  • Program on New Income Tax Act, 2025
  • Book on Information, Reality, Life
  • 'Unfortunate incident at Zero Point'
  • Where is the Government poser
  • Sit-in protest @Kanglatongbi [May 14]: Gallery
  • 3 years on : Manipur's long road to peace
  • Int'l Triathlon Yengkhom Suraj felicitated
  • Ethniciity of Thadou Martyr Church Leaders
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #22
  • Condemns Killing of Thadou Church Leaders
  • Condemns Attack on Thadou Church Leaders
  • Peace will Outlive Violence
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Bloody Night
  • Good girls first take care of themselves
  • Candlelight Vigil @ Bangalore #2 : Gallery
  • Maharaja Garib Niwaz : Manipuri civilisation #2
  • The Green Foundation recognised as a SIRO
  • Waithou Rally condemn civilian killing: Gallery
  • Manipur in India Constitutional Transition #1
  • Chahi Taret Khuntakpa
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Full Result
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Pass % : Govt Schools
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Pass % : Aided Schools
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Pass % : Private Schools
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Withheld-students
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Important Information
  • Cheirao-chingkaba on Cheiraoba #1: Gallery
  • Chandel District Head Quarters : Gallery
  • Indigenous Leaders Call for Global Recognition
  • International Women's Day : Gallery
  • Subika Art Exhibition @Washington : Gallery
  • Candlelight Vigil @ Bangalore #1 : Gallery
  • Vegetables @ Waithou Keithel #2 : Gallery
  • Conflict, Displacement in Manipur (2023-2026)
  • Tronglaobi: 2 children laid to rest : Gallery
  • Leingakta Wahang Khongchat #2 : Gallery
  • Martyrs' Day @ Cheiraoching #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2026 #2: Gallery
  • Free Online access to 'Asangba Nongjabi
  • Lhangpat Mei @Keishamthong #1 : Gallery
  • Candlelight vigil: Killing at TM Kasom : Gallery
  • Fractured sovereignty : Proxy war
  • Mama, I love you- Then the world went silent
  • Khongjom Day @ Khebaching : Gallery
  • Tronglaobi: Meira Rally #2 [16 Apr]: Gallery
  • Final Merit List : Manipur Civil Services 2022
  • HSE : Pushpa K, H Keniya, P Taibangnganba
  • Yohen Longjam : HSE 2026 : Science Topper
  • Sarangthem Ayingbi : HSE 2026 : Arts Topper
  • Thoihenba Thongam : HSE 2026: Commerce
  • HSE 2026: Science Full Result
  • HSE 2026: Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2026: Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2026: Pass % - Govt / Non Govt
  • HSE 2026: Pass % - District Institutes
  • HSE 2026: Subject-wise Pass %
  • HSE 2026: Candidates securing Highest Mark
  • HSE 2026: Science Topper List
  • HSE 2026: Arts Topper List
  • HSE 2026: Commerce Topper List
  • Tronglaobi: Clashes @Lamlong 17 Apr: Gallery
  • The great Manipur betrayal
  • Tronglaobi: Meira Rally #1 [16 Apr]: Gallery
  • MoU between Nouwa Marup Pune & IBI
  • Tronglaobi: Meira Rally [15 Apr]: Gallery
  • Most Heinous Murder: Derailing Normalisation
  • Martyrs' Day @ Cheiraoching #1 : Gallery
  • Tronglaobi : Rally @ Uripok [12 Apr]: Gallery
  • Killing of 2 children @ Tronglaobi : Gallery
  • Yaoshang Thabal Chongba #2: Gallery
  • Of 'Boong', BAFTA, Bharat & Manipur
  • Boong & the Long Road of Regional Cinema
  • Boong: India's 1st BAFTA in children's cinema
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #3
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #2
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #1