Kangla Fort

Imphal, Dec. 9: The destruction of a replica of the Kanglasha — a structure of a mythical animal inside the Kangla Fort — by the state archaeological department, was recorded on celluloid today.

A team from the Manipur Film Development Corporation filmed the destruction of the prototype Kanglasha by the department using explosives, at the gate of the then king’s enclosure.

British soldiers had destroyed two Kanglashas on July 20, 1891, after they captured the Kangla Fort — Manipur’s seat of power — on April 27, 1891, using canons.

The destruction of the replica was shot as a part of the 30-minute documentary on the fort, that the corporation is planning to make.

“Now that we have completed restoration of the destroyed Kanglashas, the chief minister had ordered destruction of the replica. We are recording it as a part of the film named Kangla Fort,” K. Sobita Devi, the director of the film corporation, said.

Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh is the chairman of the Kangla Fort Board.

The sources in the film fraternity said the Grand Prix award-winning filmmaker Aribam Syam Sarma is likely to be selected as the director. “We will fit today’s shots in the film sequences. The film is on the Kangla Fort and events related to this sacred place. We will dramatise some portions of the film. We will also use photos of ancient structures inside the fort,” Sobita Devi said. Sapam Bheigo, superintendent of archaeology, said the British destroyed the two Kanglashas after the Manipuris beheaded five of their officers near the structures. The British officers called the Kanglasha a “dragon”.

Though selection of the director and finalisation of the script are yet to be done, today’s shooting set the ball rolling for the film. The one destroyed today was constructed as a replica for restoration of the two Kanglashas, which was completed last year. The two ancient Kanglashas standing in front of the gate of the royal enclosure was a symbol of Manipuri kings’ power.

The state public works department is restoring the ancient palace with help from photographs taken by the British. This will be a first documentary film on Kangla. The film would also include the last Anglo-Manipuri war fought at Khongjom in Thoubal district.