50 YEARS OF MANIPURI CINEMA

The first feature film from Manipur was released in 1972 and since then, we have witnessed a phenomenal rise of Manipuri cinema and the Indian cinema industry has been blessed to have several stalwarts from the state. This is the 50th year of the industry and the yearlong festival will be kicked off from April 9. Northeast Today reports.

Come April 9 and the whole of Manipur will be plunged into an inexplicable euphoria as the yearlong golden jubilee celebration of Manipuri cinema will be kicked off by Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

As a part of the inauguration programme, the CM will unveil a mega memorial monolith erected on the premises of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) in Imphal.

It may be mentioned here that on April 9, 1972, Manipur’s first feature film ‘Matamgi Manipur’, directed by Debkumar Bose, was released. And since then the film fraternity has been observing April 9 as ‘Mami Numit’ i.e. Birth of Manipuri Cinema.

Sources close to the industry informed that Bose, who now resides in Kolkata, will come to the state from Kolkata to take part in the celebration. Apart from Bose, several eminent film personalities of Manipur will also grace the occasion and special floral tributes will also be offered to the departed pioneers of Manipuri cinema.

For his path-breaking step, the 87-year-old filmmaker even won the President’s Medal in the National Film Awards for ‘Matamgi Manipur’.

In a recent media interview Bose informed that even though he did not understand Manipuri at all, he went ahead and directed the film because he strongly believed that cinema is a universal language.