New Delhi (India), December 27: My dearest brother Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram, Marriage was the highlight of the year for me, it was an experience for me like never before. I have witnessed the love between them growing over the years. And to see them two getting married was indeed an emotional moment for me.
The best moments were the three days all of us spent together in Imphal Manipur, such a beautiful state of the country and even more beautiful people with such rich tradition and their love for the nature and lifestyle they follow which keeps them closer to the nature.
This beautiful marriage had so many “first times” for me, like wearing traditional “Dhoti Kurta”. Me and Randeep being Horse lovers and we were thrilled to witness the Ibudhou Marjing Heingang the temple of the god of Horses and Polo, in Meitei tradition. I would like to highlight another interesting fact that very few people would be aware of that the game POLO also derived from the state of Manipur. The game which now is a known as a Richman’s game was once played by the tribesman of Manipur and was known as Sagol-Kangjei or PULU.
Next day we went to see the largest floating lake in the world called Loktak, and beauty of which is just breathtaking.And how can I miss the traditional Black rice pudding “Chak-Hao” which our dearest Lin ben prepared for all of us. On the day of Wedding, Lin ben looked magnificent in traditional Potloi, which is made of thick fabric and Bamboo sticks. And according to Meitei tradition, the bride should prepare the “Var-mala” by herself which Lin did for Randeep and to witness it was really heartwarming. Also according to their tradition Groom and all men in his family and friends should be wearing all white, and that’s how we all got ready, everyone in all White and Dulha-Randeep wearing Manipuri Pagdi known as “Kokyet”.
On the same day we were fortunate enough to witness world renowned Meitei Pung Cholom (Dancing Drummers of Manipur), the way they played their drums while dancing and singing it was mesmerizing to watch. It surely looked flawless but I can imagine how hard it must be to keep the rhythm in place while dancing and singing at the same time. Soon after the performance here came the bride and the moment Lin entered the Mandap the entire space was filled with the divine smell which is hard to describe.
Another interesting tradition which was actually funny one was that all the friends of the Bride would surround the Groom after the completion of the marriage ceremony and give him taps on his head or shoulders and would ask for money in exchange to stop the tapping and it was duty of mine, his sister Anjali Hooda, Pale Singh and Prawaal to save and keep Randeep secure from his bride’s friends.
Seeing Randeep and Lin for all these years, I was really hoping and wishing that one day these guys should marry each other. And, here we were celebrating their big day, that all of us waited for. From the bottom of my heart, I wish them all the very best, happy, joyous and wonderful new chapter of togetherness.
