Manipur directors over the moon at winning National Film Awards

NEW DELHI: Three films from Manipur -- Heart To Heart, Songs of Mashangva and The Zeliangrongs -- were adjudged best films in the non-feature film category at the 58th National Awards. And their directors are over the moon.

The Zeliangrongs, directed by Haobam Ronel, received a special mention. Heart to Heart by Sunzu journalist-turned-director was selected for the best non-feature film on science and technology. Songs of Mashangva by Oinam Doren got the prize for best ethnographic film. Both Sunzu and Doren won a citation and a cash prize of Rs 50,000.

"I'm very, very happy at winning the award and express my deep gratitude at this recognition," says Doren who took one and half years to complete Songs of Mashangva, shot extensively in Rajasthan, Nagaland, Shillong, Kolkata and a number of villages in the Uhkrul district of Manipur.