“After many years, a Manipuri film Yening Amadi Likla finds a place in Indian panorama which goes to prove that Manipuri cinema is finding its own niche with filmmakers like Makhonmani Mongsaba” writes Neelam Kapur, Director of IFFI Goa in her Indian Panorama preface.

Without delay, the film which is the second children’s film in Manipur after Aribam Syam’s Pari arrived in Imphal with panorama awards from the festival.

But when the film Yening amadi Likla was finally screened for the public here at Usha Cinema hall since February 2 last in the state, the cine goers particularly the women folks whom this reporter encountered appeared to be restless and wanted to leave the hall without delay.

On being asked why, one of the women in her late thirties said, “Initially we were eager to watch the film, but once we were in we felt like going back home to look after our kids. This feeling is a result of the film’s story line which tells the tale of a ten year old boy Sanatomba (Muru) who is neglected by his parents.

Noted filmmaker Makhonmani Mongsaba was the Director of the film. His cinematic journey started in 1994 with his popular documentary film Pena based on Pena, an indigenous folk musical instrument of Manipuris.

After being included in the 48th National Film Award 2001, his celluloid film Chatledo Eidee was awarded the Rajat Kamal Award for best regional feature film in 2001. The same film was awarded best feature film in the state award ceremony way back in 2006. He made his directorial debut in the feature film  Chatledo Eidee in 2001 followed by his first children’s film Yening amadi Likla in 2007.

When being asked why he made a children’s film in this hour, Director Makhonmani said that every child born into this world, is a new thought of god. “The child has no enemies. They don’t known war, they don’t want war, they like to play lovingly with their friends and tenderly live together on mother earth”.

The film focuses on the meaning of human relationship. It attempts to understand the mind of an innocent child and underlines the importance of foster care of a child. In an exclusive conversation with this reporter, Makhonmani said, “I just love to make a children’s films as children can play a vital role in bringing peace”.

Sobhapati Samom