Imphal: Manipur’s national award winning Cinematographer Irom Maipak died Thursday due to Covid-19 related complication. He was 52.
The reports said that Maipak was admitted at Raj Medicity and had been undergoing treatment for nearly three weeks. He was already improved but later shifted to ICU after his health became deteriorated. He breathed his last on Wednesday night at the same hospital.
Born to late Irom Sanajaoba and late Irom (O) Thambalngoubi at Sagolband Salam Leikai, Maipak won as many as five awards including national in the field of cinematography and had also involved in dozens of other films.
Maipk was awarded for the Best Cinematography in the 13th Manipur State Film Festival 2020 in the Feature-film category for the film ‘Nongphadok Lakpa Atithi’. He was also given Maibi Award for the Best Cinematographer in the 7th Manipur State Film Festival 2010 in the non-feature film category for the film “Mr India”. Maipak was given Rajat Kamal Award for Best Cinematography in the 49th National Film Award 2002 in the non-feature film category for the film ‘The Monpas of Arunachal Pradesh.” He also bagged NETV People’s Choice Award 2005, Guwahati for the Best Cinematography. Maipak also was given Best Videographer Award in the All Manipur Video Film Festival, 1993 for the feature film ‘Kinepna Pacha’.
Irom Maipak also involved in dozens of films including: ‘Ima Sabitri’, directed by Bobo Khuraijam, which won the Silver Conch Award in the 15th Mumbai International Film Festival, 2018. ‘Phum-Shang’, directed by Haobam Paban Kumar, which won the Golden Conch in the 14th Mumbai International Film Festival, 2016. The film also won the 62nd National Film Award in 2014.
Feature film, Leipaklei, directed by Aribam Syam Sharma won the 60th National Film Award, 2012.
The film Nupishabi (Women Impersonator) produced by Films Division, Mumbai 2010 was presented in the FILM APPRECIATION course at N.F.A.I. Pune 2011.
The film Mr India directed by Haobam Paban Kumar won the Silver Lotus for the Best film on Social Issues at the 57th National Film Awards 2009. It also won a Jury Mention at the 3rd International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala 20101 and was also screened in the Indian Panorama section of the 41st International Film Festival of India 2010, Goa
The Zeliangrongs, directed by Haobam Ronel won the Special Mention Award at the 58th National Film Award, 2010.
The biographical film Guru Laimayum Thambalngoubi Devi directed by Aribam Syam Sharma was screened in the Indian Panorama Section of the 37th International Film Festival of India 2006, Goa.
The feature film Cheina directed by Oken Amakcham was awarded the Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay & Best Director Award at the 5th Manipur Film Awards 2006, Imphal.
The film Loktak – the dying lake of Manipur directed by Aribam Syam Sharma was screened at the Water festival at Banglore, 2007.
Thefilm The Monpas of Arunachal Pradesh directed by Aribam Syam Sharma won the best anthropological/ethnographic film award at the 49th National Film Awards 2001.
The film Threads of Life directed by B. M. Sunzu Sharma participated at the 7th Mumbai International Film Festival 2002.
The film Kangla directed by Haobam Paban Kumar won the award for the Best Programme in Social Sciences at the 14th UGC-CEC Educational Awards, 2001.
The feature film Kinepna Pacha directed by Lamgil Doungel won the Best Feature Film Award in Kuki language category at the All Manipur Video Film Festival, 1993.
Meghachandra Kongbam, Swarna Kamal Awardee film critic, said Irom Maipak was a gem of Manipur cinematography. He was the only National Award winner in cinematography from Manipur so far for his fascinating style of framing under an uncontrolled situation in Aribam Syam Sharma’s documentary – ‘The Monpas of Arunachal Pradesh’ in the year 2001.
He also bagged the best cinematographer award in the 8th edition of International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala 2015 in Haoban Paban Kumar’s international acclaimed documentary – Phum Shang. The sudden demise of Irom Maipak who carve a niche in Indian cinema is an irreparable loss for Manipuri cinema, Kongbam added.
Expressing dismay at the sudden demise of Maipak, international award-winning filmmaker Amar Maibam said the Manipur film industry has lost a bright star who had so much potential. He was one of the most senior and best cinematographers who worked with many veteran filmmakers including Aribam Shyam Sharm.
