C. Culture of the Northeast by Aribam Syam Sharma
Aribam Syam Sharma (born 1936) is one of the leading filmmakers of Northeast India, having directed fourteen feature films including Nantes Three Continents grand prize-winner My Son, My Precious (1981), the Cannes Un Certain Regard-selected The Chosen One (1990), and thirty-one non-feature films that depict the dynamics of Manipuri culture and its way of life. In Orchids of Manipur and Yelhou Jagoi: The Dances of Lai Haraoba, his deep understanding and interest in the traditional music of Manipur (he sings and composes music) and dance is apparent, as he unfolds the relationship between the natural environment and cultural expression. With The Monpas of Arunachal, he filmed the people of Buddhist faith who live in the mountainous area close to Bhutan. In this film again, we are struck by the rhythms and movements of bodies working in the fields and hands weaving handicrafts. Faith and performance are in focus as we see the annual festival and its dances.
Orchids of Manipur
Manipurgi Urei- INDIA (Manipur) / 1993 / Meitei / Color / 35mm / 28 min
Director, Music: Aribam Syam Sharma
Script: M.K. Binodini Devi
Photography: Ph. Saratchandra Sharma
Editing: Ujjal Nandy
Production: Forest Department, Government of Manipur
Yelhou Jagoi: The Dances of Lai Haraoba
Yelhou Jagoi- INDIA (Manipur) / 1995 / Meitei / Color / 35mm / 35 min
Director: Aribam Syam Sharma
Photography: Ph. Saratchandra Sharma
Editing: Ujjal Nandy
Sound: A. Shantimo Sharma
Production: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
The Monpas of Arunachal
- INDIA (Arunachal Pradesh) / 2001 / English, Monpa / Color / 35mm / 20 min
Director, Music: Aribam Syam Sharma
Script: Aribam Gautam Sharma
Photography: Irom Maipak
Editing: Ujjal Nandy
Production: Films Division of India