A tributary function will be organised at the memorial stone of Manipuri Cinema at the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) complex, Palace Gate on Saturday, to honour the “charismatic” filmmaker Gurumayum Narayan Sharma.
A statement issued by Sunzu Bachaspatimayum, secretary, MSFDS said that NS Films, a film production banner, set up by the pioneering filmmaker, Gurumayum Narayan Sharma which gave several firsts of Manipuri Cinema has completed 50 years.
Considering the enormous contribution that G Narayan Sharma made to the glorious journey of Manipur Cinema through his production banners, NS films, MSFDS in association with Film Forum Manipur is commemorating the golden jubilee year of NS films as well as observing G Narayan Sharma’s birth centenary who would have completed 101 years on March 8, 2023 if he was alive, it said. He passed away in 2007.
Gurumayum Narayan Sharma produced Manipur’s first 100 days’ box office run film, ‘Lamja Pashuram’(1974), Manipur’s first national film award winning film, ‘Saaphabee’ (1976) based on a popular folktale and ‘Olangthagee Wangmadasoo’ (1980), Manipur reigning longest box office run of 32 weeks. The prominent filmmaker then went on to produce as well as direct three more feature films in celluloid format, ’Kombeerei’ (1989), ‘Sanamanbi Sanarei’ (1995) and ‘Helloy’ (2002).
Born to Gurumayum Chandrajit Sharma and Gurumayum Dhani Devi, G Narayan Sharma (1922 – 2007), began his career as a professional photographer. Easily drawn towards music, dance, and theatre, he was a dancer with the Little Ballet Troupe of Bombay for a stint of six years as well as he was a member of the ballet unit of Triveni Kala Sangam in Delhi for six years, travelling as an Indian cultural troupe to even foreign shores.
His initiation in the film world began in Bombay when he came in contact with the heartthrob of Hindi cinema, Balraj Sahni. Through Sahni’s association he drove deep into the art of acting and cinematography and even worked as an assistant cameraperson for the film, ‘Lal Batti’ (1957). Since then he has already dreamt of a Manipuri Cinema.
Although he is no more, the body of works left behind by this stalwart is a legacy of the Manipuri film heritage, said the statement.
The commemorative programme will conclude with the screening of ‘Lamja Pashuram’ directed by Aribam Syam Sharma, at 5 pm at the Palace Auditorium. The following day, on Sunday, (January 22) the record holding film for the longest box office run, ‘Olangthagee Wangmadasoo’ will be screened twice, at 1.30 pm and 4.30pm.
The MFSDA invited all film lovers and the general public are cordially invited to come and pay their respect to the humble and great soul who had dedicated himself to the promotion of Manipuri Cinema.
