''Saaphabee'' is a 1976

Manipuri film The Cinema of Manipur is the film industry based in Manipur, India. It includes not only Meitei language movies but all the films made in different languages of the different communities in Manipur. The Manipuri film industry was born when ' ...

written by Sarangthem Bormani, produced by G. Narayan Sharma and directed by

Aribam Syam Sharma Aribam Syam Sharma is an Indian filmmaker and composer from Manipur. He debuted in the first Manipuri film '' Matamgi Manipur'' as an actor. In 1974, he directed his first movie '' Lamja Parshuram''. It became the first Manipuri film to run for 1 ...

. The film features

Kangabam Tomba Kangabam Tomba (born 10 June 1946) is an Indian actor from Imphal, Manipur. He started his career in theatre. His first appearance in movies is in ''Matamgi Manipur'', the first Manipuri full-length feature film where he played a college guy. ...

and Ngangom (O) Subadani in the lead roles. It was released at Usha Cinema, Paona Bazar on 13 July 1976. The movie won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the

24th National Film Awards The 24th National Film Awards, presented by Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India to felicitate the best of Indian Cinema released in the year 1976. Awards Awards were di ...

. It is based on the famous Manipuri folk play ''Haorang Leishang Saaphabee''. It is the first Manipuri folk film.

Synopsis

It is the immortal love story of prince Loya Naha Saaphaba, son of Thongnang, the king of Khuman region and princess Haorang Leishang Saaphabee, daughter of Tabung, king of Kege region. The film focuses on Kege region and Khuman region settled in opposite side of

Loktak Lake , image = , caption = Different scenes of the Loktak lake of Manipur , alt = View of Loktak Lake and Phumdis , image_bathymetry = , caption_bathymetry = , location = Manipur , coords ...

, the biggest fresh water lake in North East India. The two kings are good friends and even swear that their son and daughter shall marry when they grow up. King Tabung does not recognize prince Saaphaba and kills him as he has mistaken him an intruder. Princess Saaphabee also kills herself. Heartbroken Tabung and Thongnang decide to kill themselves in a spear fight to follow them.

Khamnung Kikoi Louonbi ) , deity_of = Enchantress goddess of death who carries off the souls of people to the underworld , member_of = Lairembis , image = KHAMNUNG KIKOI LOUONPI.jpg , alt = , caption = "Khamnung Kikoi Louonpi", the ...

, the ancient Meitei goddess of death concealing her appearance in the sky with a thunderous voice stops them in the midst of lighting and thunder. Saaphaba and Saaphabee are seen in the sky proceeding towards the feet of the

Almighty God In monotheistic thought, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. Swinburne, R.G. "God" in Honderich, Ted. (ed)''The Oxford Companion to Philosophy'', Oxford University Press, 1995. God is typically ...

. ''(Meghachandra Kongbam, Imphal Review of Arts and Politics)''

Cast

as Loya Naha Saaphaba * Laishram ''Ningol'' Ngangom ''Ongbi'' Subadani as Haorang Leishang Saaphabee * Manbi as Saaphabee's mother * N. Tombi as Tabung, King of Kege region, Saaphabee's father * Soraisam Keshoram as Thongnang, King of Khuman region, Saaphaba's father *

Kshetrimayum Rashi Kshetrimayum Rashi (''full name:'' Kshetrimayum Ningol Lairellakpam Ongbi Rashi, born March 1950) is an Indian actress from Imphal, Manipur, who worked in theatre and Manipuri films. She was introduced into the world of theatre by her mother Ras ...

as Saaphabee's friend * Heisnam Ongbi Indu as Saaphabee's friend * Babu * Shanti * Gouri * Open

Soundtrack

composed the soundtrack for the film and Konsaba Ibochou and G. Joykumar Sharma wrote the lyrics. The movie has four songs sung by Aheibam Syam Sharma, Arambam Jamuna and Khun Joykumar.

References

External links

* * {{cite web , url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YIRq-zo08k , title=Saaphabee Full Movie , first= , last=Aribam Syam Sharma Archives , date= , publisher= , accessdate=7 May 2021 , via=YouTube 1976 films Meitei-language films Meitei folklore in popular culture Meitei mythology in popular culture Indian black-and-white films Films directed by Aribam Syam Sharma