IMPHAL BAZAAR

This film is held by the BFI (ID: 7316).

Synopsis

Amateur film. Features scenes from a 1934-1935 tour of Manipur State and a women's bazaar in Imphal.

No titles. In Manipur State, MS the filmmaker G.P. Stewart, dressed in a safari suit and topi hat, seated on the ground talking to a group of seven local men gathered around a footpath in a bushy area; one of the men is Tengkukai, a Kuki Lambu (official translator)(7). LS Tamu village, close to the Manipur border in Burma, showing a small group of stilted houses made of wood and rushes surrounded by coconut trees; pan left to show more of the village (12). LS Burmese woman holding a baby, standing behind a gate (19). LS white Buddhist shrine surrounded by a fence; pan left to show a pagoda in the background (28). LS pagoda from a different angle (34). LS group of children in the village; on the right of the group is a large carved seated figure apparently with a tray on the head (42). LS villagers walking down a dusty road towards the camera (54). LS stilted wooden house - the Rest House built by the government specifically for touring parties; a cow grazes outside; pan right to show flagpole(?) then a group of people seated on the ground with the village in the background (65). LS Elizabeth Stewart, the filmmaker's wife, with two small dogs walking down a rocky path, followed by Tengkukai (71). LS G.P. Stewart emerging from a basha (bamboo hut) in a Manipur Hill village; he then sits at a desk outside, watched by a group of curious local men; he was preparing to hear about village disputes (80). LS two villagers dressed in white performing a traditional dance accompanied by a drummer and other percussionists, watched by a group of villagers/locals (92). The men are joined by two women (116). MS the women drinking rum from a metal cup (129). Two boys and two girls perform the same dance (139). Another village dance, LS a larger group of people performing the dance in a circle formation, with early morning mist (153). LS a group of Manipuris minnowing rice in a field, they fan a large pile of grain as another man shovels it (161). At the Women's Bazaar, an evening market in Imphal in Manipur State, MS a group of European women including the filmmaker's family and friends Mrs W.L.Scott, Mrs Chumleigh, Mrs Stewart and Mrs Imrie in a crowd of native people; they are negotiating the price of some cloth (195). MS a group of native women seated on the ground with a display of brass pots (201). Another group of local women in the market, this time with rice and grain (209). LS a man sitting at his stall (213). MS naked baby playing with a twig (219). LS women preparing vegetables and spices to sell (226). General busy market scene (236). LS European gymkana games in Imphal (250). CU Mr C Gimson, who was then the Political Agent of the area; he is seen with a bicycle (252). LS a Siris Crane in a pond (257). LS a monk feeding monkeys at the Monkey Temple in Imphal; the monkeys gather for food then drink at a water hole; various MS and CU shots of monkeys (299). LS a large crowd of local people gathered on a slope; pan left to show more people and a stone archway (308). MS His Highness the Maharaja of Manipur returning from a trip; he is dressed in fine clothes and gets out of a car and is greeted by Rai Bahadur Dr Ganesh Chandra Das, Honorary Assistant Civil Surgeon in Imphal; in the background a group of men perform a trick with fire (313). LS G.P. Stewart reading from a sheet of paper to a group of people under a large sun-shade (317). LS a small procession of men and boys; some have bicycles; the crowds of spectators wave flags (329). Crowds of local people seated on the ground (339). LS preparations for a polo match on the polo ground at the British Reserve in Imphal; the Manipuri polo players are inspected by the Maharaja and the Governor of Assam, Sir Michael Keane(?); then the match itself (363). LS the Senapati, a high ranking local, carried in a litter (an uncovered sedan)(369). CU of the Senapati (371). MS members of the Manipur State Durbar, a group of five finely dressed local men and G.P. Stewart (377). LS village in the Manipur Hills; pan left to show more of the village (385). LS a group of Kacha Naga local men in traditional costume performing a Naga dance carrying spears(399). LS a group of labourers carring joppas - baskets full of camping equipment; MS of the labourers as they file past (427). LS small group of Angami Nagas people pounding rice (to make rice beer) using large mallet-like tools and a shared platform; pan right to show the large wooden building in the background (443ft)(16mm).

Note: details have been taken from notes by the filmmaker.

 

Titles

  • IMPHAL BAZAAR ETC (Acquisition)
  • IMPHAL BAZAAR (Archive)
 

Technical Data

Year:
1934
Running Time:
18.3 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
16mm Film
Colour:
Black/White
Sound:
Silent
Footage:
443 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
Great Britain
Photography
STEWART, G.P.
 

Countries