A window of hope from Manipur: Kangabam Tomba walks the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival

Aribam Syam Sharma's ISHANOU recognised as World Classic

EOI, KOLKATA, MAY 18, 2023 : Even as Manipur is reeling under the impact of an ethnic violence that has left 60 people dead and thousands injured, there is encouraging news that Kangabam Tomba, eminent veteran Manipuri Actor of ‘Ishanou’ has walked the red carpet at 76th Cannes Film Festival.

Manipuri feature film ‘Ishanou,’  directed by Aribam Syam Sharma, has been recognized as a classic with acclaimed film actor Kangabam Tomba in the leadrole. 

Tomba attended the Cannes Red Carpet in full traditional Manipuri attire along with Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan and other famous personalities of the Indian film industry. 

Ishanou is the only Indian movie to be considered for the Cannes Film Festival's Classic Section, which celebrates the restored versions of timeless classics. The movie features Anoubam Kiranmala and Kangjam Tomba and focuses on the Maibi culture of Manipur.

Directed by PadmaShri Aribam Shyam Sharma, ‘Ishanou’ is a poignant tale of love and loss steeped in Manipuri culture. 

The drama skillfully highlights the co-existence of the occult and the physical in the same reality by contrasting the spiritual realm of the Maibis with the rhythm of daily life. The story unfolds to the hypnotic sounds of the bamboo flute, the Pena traditional string instrument), and incantation chants. 

Kangabam Tomba

The film's authentic blend of story telling, documentary, and ethnography is a result of amazing direction, subtle acting, vivid portrayal of Maibi culture, and usage of Manipur's traditional music in the soundtrack. 

The film revolves around a female protagonist named Tampha, her husband and her children who are settled in a remote area of Manipur. Their lives are disrupted by a sudden change when Tampha leaves her family in search of the Maibi Guru. 

The film’s reels were preserved by the National Film Archives of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, government of India since 2012 in its vault. The Manipur State Film Development Society got the film restored through the Film Heritage Foundation's Prasad Film Labs. 

Sharing his thoughts on the film, Kangabam Tomba has said: “As an actor, I feel deeply touched by how a small and happy family drastically changes when the wifebis possessed by the spirit. 

In the Meitei belief, the daughter of Maibi also gets possessed by the spirit. The essence of human connection, emotion depicted by the well-crafted mind and hands of the gifted director Aribam Shyam Sharma is indeed an epic film. 

"Getting such a rare opportunity to walk the red carpet along side the Minister and celebrities representing India was indeed an honour that one can attribute as one of the top privileges in this film industry, he said.