Yaoshang Thabal Chongba Lakpiyuko
Saabi Manja Pamuba,
Nahak Yaodra Arembani,
Nujana Sinjaba Pumnamak......

The song seems to haunt.....without any religious strings attached, notwithstanding the receding hairline with the streaks of grey on whatever is left on the scalp, one just cannot stop asking if March is around can Yaoshang Thabal Chongba be far behind?

After seeing the photographs of those lucky fellows on e-pao.net having a ball at the Police Ground in Delhi, the clock seemed to have turned back to those days...The days of waiting for the BAND MAKHOL, climbing stairs to check for lit up LAMPAKS before taking the two wheeler out and playing game with luck to hold the hand of the chosen one!

Or if the ladies of leikai were arranging the THABAL, then standing as volunteers, like the responsible TAMO, watching the girls giggle their way to glory with their prospective boyfriends. At times it was difficult, if there were some LEIKAI IBOBIS--those who were secretly admiring the neighbour's girl and loved to have a date near the PUKHRI MAPAL.

Nevertheless, there had never been a dull moment in a THABAL CHONGBA. If the lady refused in the first attempt, try again, like King Bruce. Never mind the guy who seemed to have stuck to her like HAYING on a BERA. One also got to hear BLADE NA KHUT LENLAMLEY...well that was taking obsession a bit too far!

If Meiteis had the fun of a lifetime, them the tribal friend also had fun at the Thabal.

Till today one cannot forget the laughter our Tangkhul friend generated when he tried his luck at THAU Ground. "Amukta paibigey yaowo," he tried to be friendly with that Phoebe Cates look-alike, whose flowing hair had floored him.

"Mathang chahida lakoo, khannagey," she replied, adding "if I am still around (meaning unmarried)". Poor friend, he came out and resolved to be the HANGER in any of our endeavours with thabal chongba.

Time flew, much water has flown down the Imphal, Nambul and Naga Rivers but Yaoshang Thaba Chongbagi mahaodi haongdri.

The younger generation, though, seemed to be much luckier. It seems these days they are allowed to JUMP till 1 am, while we did it wasn't allowed beyond 10 pm. One also wonders if the permission seeking ads on Manipuri dailies such as , "Leibakki afa aram yengsinbiriba echil enaosingda numit asi asi da thabal chongjagey" still appear or not.

No matter how old one is, whenever March arrives one cannot but hum ..

Saabi Khutta
Sanouna Pai,
Sanougi Khutta Saabi Na Pai.....