Oinam Doren
Oinam Doren | |
|---|---|
| Born | Manipur, India |
| Occupations | Filmmaker; documentary director |
| Known for | Songs of Mashangva; My Name is Eeooow; Theatre of the Earth |
| Awards | Best Ethnographic Film – 58th National Film Awards (for Songs of Mashangva) |
Oinam Doren (ꯑꯣꯏꯅꯥꯝ ꯗꯣꯔꯦꯟ) is an Indian filmmaker and National Award winner known for his films that explore music, culture, and traditions of Manipur and other northeastern Indian states.[1][2]
Career
Doren’s work is inspired by his interest in music. His early exposure to Western rock and pop influenced his artistic perspective, which later evolved after discovering folk music from Manipur.[3]
Songs of Mashangva
Doren directed the documentary Songs of Mashangva, which won the Rajat Kamal plaque under the Best Ethnographic category at the 58th National Film Awards 2011.[2][4] It was selected for the 18th edition of the Lessinia Film Festival in the "Competition" category and was shown in Bosco Chiesanuova, Italy in August 2012.[5] It follows folk musician Rewben Mashangva on a two-year tour across India and through remote villages of the Tangkhul people in Manipur. The film highlights the cultural exchange between Doren, a Meitei from the valley, and Rewben, a Tangkhul from the hills. Doren described the project as a transformative experience that deepened his understanding of rural communities and folk traditions.[3][6]
My Name is Eeooow
Doren directed My Name is Eeooow, set in Kongthong village, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. The film was nominated for the 'Tangible Culture Prize' at the 15th RAI Film Festival at Watershed in Bristol (UK), in 2017. It shows the tradition of Jyngwrai Iawbei, in which children are given musical tunes as names. It features Khasi folk music and emphasizes the cultural heritage of the region.[7][6]
His film won its second international award at the 23rd Film Festival della Lessinia, held in Bosco Chiesanuova, Italy, from 19 to 27 August 2017. It received the Prize from the Curatorium Cimbricum Veronense, in memory of Piero Piazzola and Mario Pigozzi, for the best film by a young director.[8][9]
Theatre of the Earth
His film, Theatre of the Earth, won the Best Film: Cinema of Resistance award at the Signs Film Festival, held in Kochi, Kerala, from 26 to 30 September 2017.[10][11]
Recognition
Doren served as the chairperson of the Non-Feature Film Jury at the International Film Festival of India. He is recognized for his contributions to Indian cinema and his focus on documenting and preserving cultural traditions.[12][13]
In November 2019, he was invited to the biennial Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival (YIDFF) for an in-depth discussion moderated by Tarun Bhartiya, a documentary filmmaker and co-founder of the Northeast India AV Archive at St. Anthony’s College, Shillong, Meghalaya.[3]
See also
References
- ^ "Northeast ka ladka to Perfect Guy - Filmmaker sets sights on Bollywood after winning major award".
- ^ a b "Khonthaang Delhi felicitates National Film Award winner Oinam Doren - E-rang :: E-pao Movie Channel". e-pao.org. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ a b c "A spring for documentary filmmaking in Northeast India".
- ^ "Manipuri film &ldquoSongs of Mashangva&rdquo directed by Oinam Doren won the national awards for the best Ethnographic film. The film made in Manipuri, Tangkhul and English languages. --". The Times of India. 2011-05-19. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Film on Rewben set for Italy event : 12th aug12 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ a b Nath, Dipanita (2017-06-14). "Drama in Real Life". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Oinam Doren new film nominated for Tangible Culture Prize in UK 20170204". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Oinam Doren wins award in Italy 20170904". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Oinam Doren wins award in Italy | Manipur Times". 2017-09-04. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Doren Theatre of the Earth wins in Kerala 20171004". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Theatre of the Earth – Kolkata People's Film Festival". Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Jury Members of Indian Panorama (Non- Feature Films) interact with media at IFFI 53".
- ^ "Manipur filmmaker invited as jury for 45th International Film Festival of India". www.easternmirrornagaland.com. Retrieved 2025-11-05.