Renowned filmmaker Oken Amakcham passes away at 64

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 19 : Renowned Manipuri filmmaker Oken Amakcham passed away this morning at his residence at Kongba Kshetri Leikai, Imphal.
He was 64.
Born in March 1962, Oken was an actor, film and music director.
His directorial debut "Khongthang", a Manipuri celluloid film produced in 1992 was featured in the Indian Panorama International Film Festival of India 1993.
Mayophy Gee Macha, another notable film he directed in 1994 won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri.
Oken also directed the first digital Manipuri film, Lammei. Some of his notable films include Cheina, Tellangga Mamei, Nungshithel, Aroiba Bidai and Thajabagi Wangmada.
Oken entered theatre and performing arts after graduation from Dhanamanjuri College in 1981.
He also holds a Visharad  degree from the Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyapith, Lucknow.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand said Oken's demise is an irreparable loss to the cultural and cinematic landscape of Manipur.
On Facebook, the Chief Minister wrote, "Deeply saddened by the passing of renowned film actor and director, Shri Oken Amakcham, this morning after a prolonged illness.
"A distinguished figure in Manipuri cinema, he was a National Film Award recipient for Mayopheegi Macha, a jury member of the 58th National Film Awards, and Vice-Chairman of Film Forum, Manipur. His invaluable contributions to the growth of Manipuri cinema will be remembered for generations.
"I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and loved ones. May his soul rest in eternal peace," said the Chief Minister.
Manipuri Film fraternity mourned the loss offering candles at the memorial at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Imphal.
The film fraternity prayed for the departed's soul to rest in peace in heavenly abode and shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family.
The Film Forum Manipur, Manipur Dramatic Union and Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) too mourned the demise of the filmmaker.
Members of the Film Forum Manipur visited the bereaved family and offered condolences. Its chairman in-charge N Surjitkanta said the filmmaker's demise is a great and irreparable loss for the Manipur cinema and the State. Members of the forum observed a 2-minute silence to show respect for the departed.
The Manipur Dramatic Union condoled the demise and observed a one-minute silence praying for the departed soul's peace.
COCOMI condoled the demise of the filmmaker and said his contributions to the Manipuri cinema and Manipur will be remembered and cherished.  It shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family.