Manipur’s Cinematic Legacy at ARCUREA 2024

The recently concluded ARCUREA, a 7-day global event organized by the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata from March 16 to 22, 2024, was a landmark moment for Manipur’s cinematic legacy. This prestigious event not only positioned Manipur as a leader among Indian states in film preservation but also underscored its unique contributions to the safeguarding of cinematic heritage.

Preservation Efforts by SN Chand Cine Archive & Museum at Manipur’s Cinematic Legacy

Supported by the National Film Development Corporation-National Film Archive of India (NDFC-NFAI) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, ARCUREA focused on crucial aspects of film archiving, restoration, and curation. Among the distinguished institutions invited to contribute their insights and experiences was the SN Chand Cine Archive & Museum (SNCCAM), established by the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) under the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur.

Despite financial constraints, SNCCAM has been at the forefront of innovative approaches in film archiving. During the event, SNCCAM shared its expertise and best practices, showcasing Manipur’s commitment to preserving its cinematic past and digitising its future.

Highlighting Manipur’s Cinematic Legacy

One of the festival’s highlights was the screening of the digitally restored Manipuri film “Ishanou” (1990), directed by Aribam Syam Sharma and jointly restored by the Film Heritage Foundation and Manipur State Film Development Society. This screening showcased Manipur’s cinematic legacy and highlighted the collaborative efforts in restoring and preserving timeless Indian masterpieces.

International Colloquium and Contributions

A key component of ARCUREA was a two-day international colloquium that explored film’s role as cultural heritage and delved into various facets of film restoration and archiving in the Asian region. Representing MSFDS in a session titled ‘Archiving in Government Institutions in India,’ film archivist Johnson Rajkumar presented Manipur’s remarkable efforts in preserving its cinematic past and digitizing its future.

Rajkumar’s presentation shed light on SNCCAM’s achievements, including the successful 4K digitization of “Brojendragee Luhongba,” Manipur’s first film directed by a Manipuri film director, and the preservation of reels from “Mainu Pemcha” (1948), Manipur’s earliest attempt at making a feature film.

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Future Endeavors and Commitment

The session also unveiled plans to digitize and restore works by MK Priyobarta and Kongbrailatpam Ibohal Sharma’s 8mm actuality films in Bologna, Italy, signalling SNCCAM’s commitment to advancing its archival efforts. This remarkable showcase of Manipur’s film preservation endeavours underscores its unique position as the only Indian state with a state-owned film archive featuring a conservation laboratory, dedicated to ensuring the preservation of deteriorating films for future generations.

In addition to SNCCAM’s contributions, presentations from Pasar Bharati and Kerala film archives further enriched the event, highlighting the collective efforts towards safeguarding India’s cinematic heritage.

ARCUREA 2024 not only celebrated Manipur’s rich cinematic legacy but also served as a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices in film preservation and restoration. It showcased Manipur’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and ensuring that its cinematic treasures are preserved for future generations.