The Festive Hangover
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: April 2, 2013 -
The celebration of five-day long Yaoshang festival may have been over officially, but the festive hangover still lingers on with the drum beats of Thabalchongba programmes shattering the tranquility of the night. This reminds us of the joke (of which many of our esteemed readers may be well acquainted) over the manner of celebrating most festivals and other annual events by the Manipuris. It says that Manipuris celebrate Durga Pujah just to play Housie (Tambola) and they wait for the annual Yaoshang festival for the Thabalchongba programme and nothing else. Even if this is just a joke, it shows the true nature of Manipuris who are addicted to the add-ons of any festival without understanding the essence of the celebration. In the process, it is not just the hard-earned money of the people but also their precious energy that are being wasted. We are not opposed to Thabalchongba programme as such, but organizing it beyond the stipulated five-day festivity is becoming something of a public nuisance. In fact, even before the official commencement of Yaoshang festival, one could hear the drum beats of Thabalchongba programme and it is not going to cease for the next couple of weeks. This is becoming almost like a tradition rather than an exception.
It is on this count that voices have been raised from some quarters against prolonged celebration of Yaoshang festival and putting normal day to day activities in the State to a grinding halt for five days. It is good to know that a public meeting convened at Manipur Press Club recently to deliberate on Yaoshang festival as well as its impact on Manipuri society has resolved to cut down the number of days for celebrating the annual Yaoshang festival from present five days to 3 days only. The same meeting also resolved to prohibit indulgences in petty theft and blocking roads to collect money from passers-by in the name of festival. Over the years, we have also noticed how the style of celebrating Yaoshang festival has gradually changed with more emphasis on sports. However, as sports alone would not be enough to channelize the energy of the people, especially the youths; the need for inclusion of educational related activities in the sporting activities has been underlined. These are indeed some very good initiatives, which should be implemented right away without any difficulty from next year onwards. When Holi, which is considered to be equivalent of Yaoshang festival, is being celebrated for only one day in other parts of the country, how can a financially poor State like Manipur afford to waste five days in the name of celebrating a festival? A moot point to ponder over, we should say.
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