Mesmerizing Manipur

As someone who has a natural affinity for making friends, I often form deep rooted bonds with them and one such person is Gema Kaba, this cute girl from the beautiful North-Eastern state of Manipur. While she was in Goa she would regale me with amazing stories about her home-state; the weather there, the various kinds of fruits and vegetables available, and much more.

When her marriage was fixed I was the first one she contacted. She wanted me to be there on her special day and I readily accepted the invitation. The idea of finally seeing this beautiful place and experiencing it was very exciting to me. The journey was tedious as there aren’t direct flights but on reaching Manipur the calm of the places sets in and makes you feel relaxed instantaneously.

Manipur is abundantly blessed with flora and fauna of all kinds. The vibrant colour of the flowers there adds to its beauty. Attending a tribal wedding in Manipur is an experience I will cherish forever. The Maram tribe inhibits the Senapati district of Manipur and the simplicity of the people there moves your soul. Their genuine care and concern makes your heart jump with joy, their traditions are deep rooted and the elders make sure the essence is maintained.

Attending the wedding and its ceremonies was such a beautiful experience. The choir was

one of the most melodious one’s that I’ve heard in a long time. The village Willong, where the wedding took place is situated on a hilltop is serene and peaceful. The only hick is that one doesn’t get mobile network there unless you have a landline which can be a cause of concern of some people given the 24x7 social media addiction that we live with now. It did get my friends and relatives concerned too as they couldn’t contact me but I was in awe of the life that people live there and then you start to wonder why do we lose on living life the way they do in its simple and pure form devoid of all the sophistication attached to it.

The food was amazing, everything was freshly prepared and all of their ingredients are indigenous which make flavours burst into your mouth. One worth mentioning is their

traditional dish called “Kimchi” among the alcoholic drinks one just cannot forget the “Rice Beer” that is traditionally made in every home. It`s sweet sour flavour makes it a hit and it goes well with most of the meat dishes that are served.

Manipur has left its impression on my heart especially because of its people. They are content with their lives and it reflects in the purity of their smiles. They live lives that are real and aren’t as sophisticated as ours. Their simplicity is infectious, it makes your heart happy. A kind of happiness that touches your soul and can’t be explained through any pictures or mere social happiness updates. This article is for you Gema thanks for inviting me over and all those wonderful people in Manipur, thanks for the warm welcome and your genuine affection, all the memories shall always be close to my heart.