I, Meena Longjam, as a filmmaker, journalist, and academician, have been documenting the unique cultural aspects of Manipur for over 16 years. ‘Autodriver’, a film I made in 2015 delineating the enterprise, grit, perseverance and resilience of Imphal’s first woman autorickshaw driver, won the National Award for best documentary. ‘Achoubi in Love’, which I made in 2018, depicts the challenges and struggles of Manipur’s own horse whisperer. Battling personal adversity, poverty and prejudices, Achoubi strove to sustain Manipur’s 2,000-year-old love affair with the ancient Meitei Sagol ponies. These ponies had given birth to the royal game of polo; and for centuries helped the Manipur army to keep invaders at bay, the last of which were the Japanese. In the Kohima-Manipur invasion of 1944, the Meitei Sagol ponies proved to be vital for guerrilla warfare tactics employed by the Indian/British soldiers; this was one of the key victories that helped turn the tide against the Allies in the Second World War. The film impresses on the viewer the urgent need to preserve the bloodlines of the Meitei Sagol ponies, and keep alive the sport of polo.

I see each assignment as an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to people’s understanding of Manipur. To me, Manipur is like a rough diamond which needs the skills of a jeweller to bring out its dazzle. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought forth a rich repertoire of stories revealing different facets of a people – some grim, some tragic, some heart-warming. To document these stories with thorough research, considerable time and funds are needed. Each new project has driven me to the verge of penury. Not that paucity of funds has dampened my enthusiasm and hunger to tread the road not taken, it’s that sufficient funds can help me deliver an exceptional creation with ease.