Aribam Syam Sharma: The Luminary of Indian Cinema

’Parthajit Baruah’s well-researched book explores Aribam Syam Sharma’s remarkable cinematic journey, examining his aesthetics and profound engagement with Manipuri culture, customs, and history. Over five decades, Pabung Aribam, widely regarded as the Jewel of Manipuri Cinema, has left an indelible mark on both regional and national filmmaking through his fifteen feature films, thirty-one non-features, and musical contributions to twenty-five films, which have won him fifteen national awards and several international honours. The book traces the evolution of Manipuri cinema, offers insight into his formative years, and documents his rise as a pioneering filmmaker, while also addressing the marginalisation of Pabung Aribam in broader national narratives. Enriched with film stills, working photographs, and an in-depth interview, the book pays tribute to his legacy. It also discusses the importance of regional storytelling and the challenges faced by filmmakers from marginalised regions of Northeast India.