Puya Mei Thaba to be animated in film
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 31 2011: The International Observation Committee on Puya Mei Thaba (ICOP) and Meetei National Front (MNF) will be producing an animation film based on the Puya Mei Thaba incident to mark the occasion of 283rd Anniversary of Puya Mei Thaba due to be observed on January 16, 2012 .

It may be mentioned that the first Puya Mei Thaba observation was held in 1979 at Kangla with the then Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur L Chandramani as Chief Guest.

Apart from the main function to be held at Imphal, this time commemorative events of Puya Mei Thaba, which is regarded as one of the darkest chapters in the history of Manipur, would also be observed in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Tripura, Cachar, Jiri, Moreh, Maram, Ukhrul and Tamenglong.

The proposed animation film is to be directed by singer Uttam, based on the concept developed by himself with reference from Mutua Bahadur, Dr Waikhom Romesh and M Sivadutta Luwang.

The singer will also be lending his voice to the film's title score penned by late Chingsubam Akaba.

Exponent of Hao Music Guru Rewben Mashangva has composed the music of the title score.

Bicky Maibam of Khundrakpam Mayai Leikai, Th Robindro of Tera Tongbram Leikai and S Nongpokhenba alias Birjit of Uripok Achom Leikai are the editors of the film.

In an exclusive interview with Hueiyen Lanpao, singer Uttam said that Guru Rewben Mashangva gave him the lyrics of the song and he has been singing the song in many occasions related to Puya Mei Thaba observation in the tune of folk music.

The idea behind making an animation film on Puya Mei Thaba is to create awareness of the incident among the young children, Uttam said, while stressing the need to produce such animation films based on historical incidents.

Uttam said that he intends to produce more such films in future as well.

Bicky Maibam, an animator with Kanglei Machu Studio, said that he took up the project along with two friends, whom he had studied film editing together in Pune.

Bicky informed that he had consulted from many scholars of the state in conceptualizing the characters in the film and struggled hard to fit the whole incident in just seven minutes.

Animators Th Robindro and S Nongpokhenba also expressed their satisfaction over the outcome of the project and said that they will continue with such projects which could create awareness among the people of the state.

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