‘Jewel of Manipuri cinema’ lauds Onaatah

SHILLONG: Noted film Director and composer from Manipur, better known as Jewel of Manipuri Cinema Aribam Syam Sharma visited Anjalee Galleria to watch the National Award winning Khasi film Onaatah- daughter of the earth on Sunday last.
Present along with family members, the 17-time award winning director who was awarded with Padmashri in 2006 was visibly impressed by the nature, content and quality of the technical aspects including direction and performance of artistes.
“(It is) An impressive work on a very difficult subject; humanity, hope and humour deftly woven. Wonderful actors. Care, hard work, dedication and a great promise of such films from the director and team are palpable. Personally very happy to see such films from our region,” were his words to the Director of Onaatah, Pradip Kurbah.
Syam Sharma is also internationally renowned for films like Imagi Ningthem for which he had received the Golden Mongolfiere in the Nantes Festival. His 1990 film The Chosen One (Ishanou) was screened at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.
“I felt a sense of deep honour when I was informed that Aribam Sir would be visiting Shillong and wanted to watch Onaatah in the theatre.
“I am also very happy with the feedback he had for the film, and feel greatly encouraged.”
“It is high time that films from our region begin to screen for public in theatres across the eight states. More importantly, films from the region should be shown and sold to the audience across South East Asia,” Kurbah commented when being asked about his feelings about Syam Sharma joining the audience at Galleria.