M Nilamani gets MSFDS lifetime achievement award
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 16 2023:
The prestigious MSFDS Lifetime Achievement Award for lasting and outstanding contributions to the held of Manipuri cinema was conferred to the Nonagenarian filmmaker and writer, Moirangthem Nilamani Singh at the 15th Manipur State Film Awards (MSFA) 2023.Nominated by prominent personalities, and recommended by a special selection committee chaired by the commissioner (art & culture), the lifetime award carries cash reward of Rs 1 lakh, bronze Maibi Memento, citation and shawl.
Born on January 15, 1933, Nilamani Singh of Sagolband Salam Leikai, was trained as a lawyer.
While pursuing his law degree in Bombay, he fell in love with the moving images and sound.
His Tove affair' with the expressive art was to stay with him for a lifetime.
His first feature film 'Khonjel' (1981), which was well received, was scripted, produced and directed by him.
'Paap' (1990) and Khamba Thoibi (1997) were his subsequent celluloid productions under the Anjana Films banner.
Besides making films, Nilamani wrote eloquently on Manipuri cinema through local newspapers and also served as the president of the All Manipur Film Producers.
Previous winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award were Aribam Syam Sharma, Lourembam Pishak Devi, O Biramangol Singh, K Tomba Singh, Yengkhom Roma Devi, Ksh Rashi Devi, and Laimayum Banka Sharma.
Declaration of the winners of the 15th Manipur State Film Awards (MSFA) 2023 was made by Mongjam Joy Singh, commissioner (art & culture), at the office of the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), accompanied by chairmen of the juries of all categories for the competition, namely feature film, non-feature film and writings on Manipuri Cinema categories.
Altogether, 43 awards were announced, each carrying cash reward, bronze memento and citation.
Out of these, 27 awards were given to the feature films category, 14 to non-feature which included music videos for the first time, and one award to writings on Manipur Cinema.
MSFDS congratulated all the award winners, including Moirangthem Nilamani for winning the MSFDS Lifetime Achievement.
Meanwhile, MSFDS expressed regret over oversights in the results, and made corrections that Ojitbabu Ningthoujam's 'Eigi Nupi Tamnalai' which swept the 15th MSFA 2023 with 7 awards in the feature film category, should include the Best Special Effects Award.
Earlier, results mentioned special effect creator, Lairenlakpam Mohendro as the only winner.
"A review of the film's credit line reveals Khumbongmayum Ishomani Singh as the other co-special effect creator.
Hence, the Best Special Effects Award will be shared between them," MSFDS said in a release.
It continued, "Another oversight in the earlier declared results was detected while announcing the Best Music Director for the Song for the Feature film category.
After due review, it was found that while the winner of the award was correctly announced as Nanao Sagolmang, the film for which he bagged the award should be 'Ashengba Eral' not 'Apikpa Mahum'.
"Lastly, the award for the Best Lyrics went to the music, video 'Poppy Leirang', directed by OC Meira and lyric penned by Keke Wahengbam," it added.
"The inconvenience caused by the oversight is deeply regretted.
The following were the panel of Jurys; The Jury for the Feature Films Category were Laimayum Surjakanta Sharma (chairperson), Ningombam Jadumani Singh, Dr P Birchandra Singh, Dr K Sobita Devi and Saterjit Thiyam.
The Jury for the Non-Feature Films Category were Ms Meenakumari Angom (chairperson), Sonia Nepram, and RK Johnson.
The Jury for Writing on Manipuri Cinema & Film Critic were Dr Thokchom Ibohanbi (Chairperson), K Sarojkumar Sharma and Omen Achom," it further corrected.