Comedian Mombi – capturing thousands of hearts and adding laughter

Well known with her alias Mombi, Thongam Thoithoi  is a multi faceted Manipuri film actress, filled with lots of talents a person could possibly imagine. She is popularly known as “Mombi”, a role from one of her digital film titled “Phairenthagi Angaoba Leichil” wherein she acted as a comedian artiste. As she is highly popular with the name Mombi, most people have even forgotten the actress’s real name ‘Toithoi’. This is in fact a success of the 52 years old actress Thoithoi who have contributed a lot in Manipuri cinema.

Beginning of her journey in Art & Acting

Born on Feb 1, 1963, Thoithoi who had a great passion for Art & Acting began her acting career since her young age of 11 (eleven) years. She learnt the skill of Dance, Music and Drama under the Guru Shrimati Hanjabam Aruna Devi, Ningthem Pukhri Mapal, Imphal, Manipur at her institution “Raga Taranga Mandal”.  Aruna was her first guru of her acting career. Under her guidelines, she got the first opportunity to act in a drama namely “Taragi Cheikhei” with the role of “Tharik” written by Khundongbam Brojendro Singh at Maharaja Garibaniwaj Memorial Club, Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal, Imphal.  She began her career in acting and theater arts before setting her foot in to film industry. She initially acted in proscenium theatre and radio plays which later on motivated her to be an actor in Cinemas. Thoithi is today highly acclaimed as a great comedian of the Manipur capturing thousands of hearts and adding laughter with her act as a comedian.

More popular for her comedy roles, Thoithoi can be described as a gift for the rising Manipur digital cinema. She has acted over 100 films and most of them a hit and still counting. Similar to her act seen on screen in real life too Mombi is a simple and jolly person.  She said that she has no any problem to act with any actors or directors  as she believes that mutual understanding, co-operation and adjustment to whatever she is given keeps her going. However, Diya Khwairakpam is among the directors of Manipur Cinema which she described as one of the best to work with, the reason for which is the understanding he had making work very simple. Besides Diya, Ojitkumar, Bimol Sharma, Romi Meitei are also very good director with good relations.

Unforgettable moment

While sharing her memorable memories in her child hood days she said that receiving awards while she was young for best actress in drama was something that titillates her till today and another unforgettable moment she said was that she was once frighten life out of her by some of her colleague before a play called “Saroi Khonthok”. The very day as she was a bit late for the play hurried towards the rehearsal room where every already prepared with their costume and mask frightened her like anything and that is the moment she still can’t forget.

Her Popularity as “Mombi”

She said that people started knowing her by the name Mombi which was actually made popularized by her co-actor a well known comedian Guna. In a film in which she acted with comedian Guna, the later teased her by calling the name “Mombi, Mombi…” which made the audience laugh. She said that she could make a successful career in art with the full support of family. Without their support, nothing is possible. She gets full support from her husband and her in laws. With all these blessing and supports she decides to act in films till hr last blood.

Thoithoi is the eldest daughter among four siblings of Thongam Thambou and Kombi Devi of Wangkhei Angom Leikai. She married to Thokchom Shamungou of Changangei Uchekon and is now a mother of two daughters – Korin and Sugani.  She began her primary schooling in Shine centre Soibam Leikai and shifted to Wangkhei Girls High School and Ananda Akademy. However, she passed Class-X from Bengali high school in 1982 and graduated from MB College. She joined government service as a clerk under Revenue Department in 1985 on contract basis and was later on regularized in 1995.

Awards and Achievements

She won best actress in Short Play Competition, 1982, 2nd Best Actress  in XIIIth All Manipur Short Play Competition, 1982, Best Actress  in Drama Competition, 1982, merit certificate in 3rd All Manipur Inter College Short Play  Competition, 1982, 2nd Best Actress in All Manipur Drama Festival, 1982-83, 3rd Best Actress in IVth All Manipur Inter College Short Play  Competition, 1984, Best Actress  in VIIth All Manipur Inter Office Civil Services Drama Competition, 1987, Best Actress (All Rounder) in VIIth All Manipur Inter College Civil Services  Drama Competition, 1988, Best Actress in XIXth All Manipur Short Play Competition, 1988, 2nd Best Actress in  VIIIth All Manipur Inter Office Civil Services  Drama Competition, 1989-90, Best Actress in Folk Play in VIII th All Manipur Inter Office Civil Services Drama Competitions, 1989-90, Best Actor of the Year 2009 in Comedy conferred by Film Academy, Manipur in 2009.

Drama Groups and plays

Maharaja Garibaniwaj Memorial Club, Ningthem Pukhri Mapal, Wangkhei (Taragi Cheikhei), Tubileima Jatra Cum Drama Assn., Kongba Bazar (Sharoi Khunthok), North Eastern Dramatic Union, Moirangkampu, Khurai (Phunga Nungdum, Amangba Nong), COSMO, Wangkhei (Epa sha), Eastern Cultural Association, Wangkhei (Moirang Thoibi), People Dramatic Union (Yairipok Thambalnu, Merchant of Venice), Meitei Artiste Union, Mongsangei (Bir Tikendrajit, Anarkali), Leimayon Art Centre, Chingamakha (Punshi Haibadu Ashira, Charairongba, Koubru Mamomloi, Khongjom Lal, Khongjom Nubi), Eclipse, Konjeng Leikai (Macbeth, Rearshel Hourashi), Eastern Nation Dramatic Union, Ningomthong (Manja Nungbu Loyumba), Sangit Mandal, Awang Sekmai (Thoujal, Amangba Nong), Mathlock, Nongmeibung (Govinda Darshan, Charairongba), South Eastern Manipur Artists Assn. Thoubal (Pukchel, Bir Tikendrajit), Manipur Sanget Natak Vidyalaya, Wangjing (Echasha Epa Lamboirage), Kakching Dramatic Union (Karma Arjun), Langmeidong Dramatic Union, Langmeidong (Yeningtha), Rupalaya Theatre, Elang Khangpokpi (Lai Ebungngo),  Social Dramatic Union, Uripok (Puya Mei Thaba), Western Theatre, Tera (Ei Mamani),  Changangei Youth Dramatic Union (Thaja Manbi), Rupmahal Theatre, Imphal (Nupi Lal, Lai Ebungo, Ei Mamani, Hayengdagi Canteen Band, Sanakhei Hukre Leibaklei, Kala Bazar, Echagi Maral Nate Eigini, Eikhoishibu Utangbira, Maishina Maphare Tangang, Eichasha Epa Lamboirage, Sanatombi Girl School, Mou Interview, Kanana Hairino Eidi Khangde, Home Secretary, Transfer Order, Luhongdaba Yade, Lalgi Matungda Lal, Wakat Upu, Mantri Hek Oibaga, Sana Leibak, Ei Yum Pallage, Adu Oirashu, Ash Amuk Luhongba Tare, Emou Thadokpa Ngamloi).

Films she acted

In 1990s, Thoithoi started acting in film. “Chekla Paikhrabada” was her first film. So far, she has acted in many films.  She acted in celluloid films including Leiee Ama, Chekla Paikrabada.

Digital films include Lon Thoktabagee Lon, Barogee Hero, Poloida kari, Ima Ei Leihourage, Mantri Dolansana, Phairen Thagee Angaoba Leichin, Parikhya Nungshibagi, Teina Onnaba, Mathang Mapokta, Khudol, Nangna Mama Oibiyu, Badanam, Shageigee Mouni, Chingjaogum Lepliba Thamoi, Oiramle Mahaktumak, Panthungidara Nungshiba, Amukta Chamthoknashi, Ngamna-Ngamnaba, Mamoudo Hingchabido Manemdo, Eshworgee Khudol, Hero, Thamoina Kari Hairi, Mangal, Angaobashu Thamoi Palli, Thengmankhre Thabalshe, Keina Dan, Cheitheng Amana, Mou Phaiting, Nungini Nungshiba, Eigeedi Thayaini, Nashunglangee, Thajagi Mangal, Abok Nate Imani, Sandhiya, Sakkhangnaba Mikupta, Tamkrabada, Leichin, Kubiba, Thamoigee Meichak, Ahingee Tandan, Lamhenbi Thaja, Ngaibada, Ebani Shaonaramdrabadi, Meitei Chanu, Echasha Epa Lamboirage, Inthoklabi, Chahidugi Yaoshangtha, Lamlanba, Huranbadu Mapu Oiramle, Matamgi Leirang, Engao Ngaona, Handakta Nouna Khangnaba, Khallude, Thokkidagi Kishi, Lamjani, Yengningdunata Leiningee, Gold Medal, Thajamanbi, Traffic Thourani, Pon, Keishamthong Thoibi, Sanabemmagi Body Guard, Echel Enigi Etinpham, Ekhenglakta Kundo Pareng, Maithakpi Chigonglei, Achumba Paokhum, Thaballei Manam, Koken, Loktraobi, Tingkhang, Mami Samkhraba Thaja, Lanthengminakhisi, Sanahanbi, Eige Morambi, Echel Amagi Erongnung, Heinoujam Yumbal Telanga Yahip, Thajadana, Melei Leisana Thariktha, Thawaini, Langdaida, Eigi Manglan, Thawaigee Mani, Nongmadi Soidana, Hangningli Thamoisina and Thawan-Gee Purnima.

She became an AIR approved drama artiste in 1983 and performed in many radio plays including the famous Nongallabasu Thabalei Leinam penned by Moirangthem Inao.