Over the ages, Manipuri women have practised little, yet time consuming efforts to make herself beautiful. In a way, beauty of the mind has been reflected in such endeavors.
And indeed, we are proud to have inherited the oriental as well as influx of new sensibilities in the form of the traditional Meetei as well as the Vaisnavite philosophies. From the former, was inherited notion of beauty in sync with nature and from the latter of a beauty marked by metaphysical devotion to the soul, and together it co-exist in harmony in a well balanced synchronised form.
The aromatic Cheng-hi' (rice water mixed with wild herbs) remains a natural hair conditioner for many compatroits who do not enjoy the luxury of chemical or herbal shampoos, a legacy continued from the past.
Wearing of Nachom not simply for beautification but as a fragrance/perfume, eating of Kwa (betel nut) to redden the lips (also used as a mouth freshner), etc., have been the humble efforts of Manipuri women to enhance their sexual attractiveness.
Leihau flowers are normally used when storing garments so that it smelled nice, and Shangbrei leaves are rubbed on their skin just as aloe is used nowadays to soften the skin and also apparently as a floral perfume.
Cosmetic and therapeutic effects of Chandon or Multani Mitti for pimples and rashes was recognized long back and the new generations are adivised by the elders to continue the tradition.
I was once told by a leikai sister that, she used to rub her hands with the milky pectin of papayas before attending a Thabal Chongba dance. The amorphous chemical apparently made her rough hands softer and smoother!
None of our phakhangs will disagree that, watching the local belles bathing in the local pond or stream or river is their favourite time-pass and a leisure game.
Watching the lasses with their wet phaneks pulled up just beneath their shoulders, chirpping with their etas about their beloved and the most famous love affairs of the leikai, has inspired many a young artists and painters. Notice them scrubbing each others backs too - ah! the ultimate spa therapy session!
Eshanou contributes to e-pao.net regularly . This article was webcasted on January 11th, 2007.
|