''Saaphabee'' is a 1976 Manipuri film 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 ...

. 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 Laishram 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 The National Film Award for Best Manipuri Feature Film is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the National Film Development Corporation of India. It is one of several awards presented for feature films and awarded with Rajat Kama ...

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), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India to felicitate the best of Cinema of India, ...

. 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 Khuman () is a group of people, which is recognized as one of the seven Yek Salai clans of the composite Meitei confederacy. Historically, they ruled parts of Kangleipak (present day Manipur) prior to subjugation by the Ningthouja dynasty (Ma ...

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, 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 Khamnung Kikoi Louonbi ) is a goddess in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. She is a divine feminine personification of death who carries off the souls of the dead to the underworld (). If any soul will not go willingly, she eith ...

, the

ancient Meitei goddess Sanamahism is the indigenous religion of the Meitei people. It originated in the Kingdom of Kangleipak, and is still practiced in modern Manipur, India, distinct from both the Indosphere and the Sinosphere. Sanamahism is a polytheistic religion wi ...

of death concealing her appearance in the sky with a thunderous voice stops them in the midst of lightning and thunder. Saaphaba and Saaphabee are seen in the sky proceeding towards the feet of the Almighty God. ''(Meghachandra Kongbam, Imphal Review of Arts and Politics)''

Cast

as Loya Naha Saaphaba * Laishram 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 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 , last=Aribam Syam Sharma Archives , date= 4 November 2017, 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