A meji being burnt

Imphal, Jan. 15: The whiff of tilpitha, ghilapitha, hurum and larus has become a part of nostalgia for them, but years of living outside the state has failed to diminish their festive spirit.

So while their brothers in Assam enjoyed a holiday with loads of pithas, the Assamese community living in Manipur also managed to have its own version of imported Bhogali Bihu ? the post-harvest festival of feasting.

The Asom Samaj of Manipur left no stone unturned to create a home away from home during its daylong programme. Held in the Sangaiprou locality of Imphal West, at the residence of Upen Basumatary, president of Asom Samaj, the festival brought together not only non-resident Assamese but also their Meitei friends.

Basumatary, who is employed at the Imphal head post office as assistant superintendent, has settled down here after marrying a Meitei.

According to Biswajit Deb, publicity secretary of the organisation, there are about 1,000 Assamese in Manipur.

Besides burning of bhela ghar and meji, an elaborate spread of traditional Assamese delicacies satiated the Bhogali spirit. With a dash of Bihu music, a round of the traditional koni juj (egg fight) and distribution of the boot-maah offering made to the deity, even though for a day, the Manipuri locality here soaked in the spirit of Bhogali Bihu celebrations of Assam.