Sarat ki ritu mapung ya,
Mengna chatkhi mera tha,
Eeeng na lakee hiyangei,
Sumang Khuding mera waa,
Thaomei pareng Diwali...........
As Summer went by, Autumn knocked at the door asking can Winter too join the party?
When such a question is aksed, it is that time of the year when one gets dressed up for the festivities that await.
It is also that time when one fondly remembers listening to Shyam Sharma crooning that evergreen number at the 'leikai lampak' along with his
fellow artists from Roop Raag.
The annual ritual of organising a "nite" by the local club where all and sundry of the leikai gather to brave the dew and chilly wind...
"Mera Laten" were brought down, "Mera Waa" also removed, and Diwali also went by but.......
Mapuroibagi seva da,
Kharai thongan landrabi,
Maikei fangna ongkhibi,
Ningol Singbu chakou tha.....
One cannot also forget that cold November morning geting ready for the bath, but the sheer enthusiasm of accompanying Moma for the Ningol Chakouba helped overcome the threat of the chilly water.
The very thought of meeting the maternal uncles, who were eagerly awaiting there only sister to come back for that lunch.... At that time for us, the kids, it was the "Dokhina" that matters :-)
But having grown up and reached the age when the responsiblity of inviting ones own sister for Ningol chakouba beckons, one cannot but admire this lovely tradition.
Yet, being far away from, one just can say sis "Happy Ningol Chakouba". We may be far apart but we are in out hearts....
And to all my Manipuri sisters, Happy Ningol Chakouba!!!
* Pengba Aruuba Eshingee contributes to e-pao.net regularly.
The writer can be contacted at [email protected]
This article was webcasted on November 05th 2005
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