Meitei cinema

This article is about the Manipuri-language film industry. For the entire film industry of Manipur, see Cinema of Manipur.
Further information: Meitei language in Bangladesh § Meitei cinema
Meetei Mayek
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Meitei cinema
Maniwood
An illustration of the Maniwood clapperboard
Main distributors
  • Film Forum Manipur (FFM)
  • Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS)
Produced feature films
Total60-70[1][2]

Meitei cinema (Meitei: Meitei Mami Kumhei), also known as Maniwood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language), widely spoken in the state of Manipur. The popular term Maniwood, is a portmanteau of "Manipuri" (official name of Meitei) and "Hollywood". Since its inception, Meitei cinema has played a significant role in the Meitei linguistic purism movement, often emphasizing proper Meitei language in place of pidgin dialects.[3]

The origins of Meitei cinema date back to Matamgi Manipur (Meitei for 'Today's Manipur'), released in 1972 as the first full-length Meitei-language film and the first film made in Manipur.[4][5] The film won the President's Medal at the 20th National Film Awards, establishing a milestone in Manipuri cinema.[6] Another landmark came with Imagi Ningthem (Meitei for 'My Son, My Precious') in 1981, which brought international recognition by winning the Golden Montgolfiere at the 1982 Festival des 3 Continents in Nantes, elevating Indian cinema on the global stage.[7][8]

In 1990, Ishanou (Meitei for 'The Chosen One') gained further acclaim, being screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.[9] This film was re-recognized in 2023 by Cannes as a "World Classic," marking its significance as the only Indian film selected for the event that year.[10][11][12] Additionally, Keibu Keioiba (Meitei for 'Tiger-Head') became the first animation film in the Meitei language and in Manipuri cinema in 2009.[13][14][15]

Reflecting local culture, since 2012, Maniwood has observed a dress code guideline: “If you wear jeans thrice on screen, you have to wear Manipuri dresses four times.” This practice reflects the Maniwood culture’s dedication to representing the Manipuri lifestyle and traditional attire. According to acclaimed director Aribam Syam Sharma, Meitei cinema authentically portrays the way of life and thinking of the Manipuri people.[16]

Today, Ishanou, Oneness, and Eikhoigi Yum are among the top-rated Manipuri films on IMDb as of 2023, showcasing the enduring appeal of Meitei cinema among audiences.[17]

  1. ^ "'Mary Kom' earns Rs 28.32 cr at box office in first weekend". Business Today. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2023. ... Meanwhile, producers are trying to release the film in Kom's hometown, where around 60 to 70 films in Meitei language are made in a year. ...
  2. ^ Bag, Shamik (10 October 2015). "Being a movie buff in Imphal". mint. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  3. ^ Bag, Shamik (10 October 2015). "Being a movie buff in Imphal". mint. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Matamgi Manipur on Moviebuff.com". Moviebuff.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Manipuri cinema in the last three decades". e-pao.net. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Now Showing MATAMGI MANIPUR". www.e-pao.net. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Digitised Imagi Ningthem screened at Pune film fest : 15th jan14 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  8. ^ "New book traces journey of Manipuri cinema". The Hindu. 6 April 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Festival de Cannes: The Chosen One". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  10. ^ "Manipuri feature film 'ISHANOU' recognised as World Classic". The Economic Times. 6 May 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Aribam Syam Sharma's ISHANOU recognised as World Classic". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Manipuri Film 'Ishanou' Becomes India's Only Restored Film To Be Screened At Cannes 2023". Outlook India.
  13. ^ Singh, Naorem Nishikanta (7 November 2013). "Bhumenjoy Konsam on the Chemistry of Making Keibu-Kei-Oiba – Part II | Manipur Times". Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  14. ^ "Manipur fable from Shrek stable - Pune-based visual designer makes region's first animation film". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  15. ^ Singh, Naorem Nishikanta (22 October 2013). "Bhumenjoy Konsam on the Chemistry of Making Keibu-Kei-Oiba – Part I | Manipur Times". Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  16. ^ Bag, Shamik (10 October 2015). "Being a movie buff in Imphal". mint. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Ishanou, Oneness, and Eikhoigi Yum become IMDb's top 3 Manipuri movies". East Mojo. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.