Mami Sami!

Lucky me, I got to see some parts of a Manipuri Film called “Mami Sami”. Believe you me, I was crying. Some scenes, I think, can’t be captured again. Without any prejudice, I mean, me being a Manipuri; are so overwhelming and realistic, I just can’t think of any other means other than those frames. And the theme song, I have only words of appreciation. I can only hear it nonstop, day in day out…

I didn’t watch much Manipuri movies fearing the so-called “Inspired” parts that my friends talked about. But this one, I prescribed it for every one, I mean everyone.

Despite so little infrastructure and limited funding; this movie is so well made, it deserves kudos. And the plot is so well crafted, it can be narrated a million times, more so in the context of the present day Manipur. But realistically speaking, the situation and events depicted in the movie are relevant to every society.

I love all the characters; Binata perfected the role of Tayal, the main protagonist. Her part is to play an innocent girl, a tempting lover, an enterprising wife, a devoted young widow and in fact a Manipuri woman caught in the crossfire of life and love and tradition and her own vivacity. What can we ask from an actor? Even more, no make-up, no gloss; she lived the character. Now, I want to meet her. Sadanada’s role of Wangthoi is engrossing. He brings the maturity that was rather missing in the male characters in Manipuri cinema. I don’t know the names of other actors and characters they played, but they are all perfect. Each one of them lived. In particular, the character of the husband of a village woman who wants their only son to learn modern songs, instead of his insistence to make his son a folk singer is worth observing.

Loktak Lake has been shown in its grandeur, though I hate to see the swallow water level and ever expanding Phumdis (floating marshes). That’s the reality. So, good for us! The incessant raining, it adds up to the reality of the theme and stage.

It is said that this movie is a Digital Cinema. I don’t know much about this kind of movie making or genre. But, it has been said that a digital-camera was used to film the entire movie and that too hand-held. The very probability of producing such a movie is next to impossible. But, you can expect such things in Manipur and from Manipuris. I too have a living memory. While I was in DM College of Arts Hostel, I witnessed a movie-shooting event. And I am still amazed, how the chassis of a bullock-card was used as a crane of a camera to film a fight scene from the top! One of my seniors did helped while rolling the camera using a rope, so as to keep a balance while filming. I think, film industry? in Manipur has developed. So, we can expect much more.

I don’t know how many of us still remember Khullang Eshei (traditional songs for cultivation). Thank God! I got to hear it again, with many more traditional renditions on life, on a serene and idyllic life, watching this movie. Thanks to Lancha Ninghtouja. He is the writer and director of the movie.

There are so many other glorious aspects of this movie. I cannot elaborate them all. The movie sums up with the dialogue: “Nang lande, eikhoi kanashu lande. Ekhoibu lanhanlibashe matamshinane”. I can’t translate it, either. Sounds of gunshots in the backdrop, though it is quite disturbing, yet it percolates the movie into realism. This is the best of the part of the movie. How can an individual nurture her/his dream amidst constant reminder of disorder? And the dilemma is, you can only escape to the chaos.