Leikol Foundation Day

Pictures taken on Leikol Foundation Day October 3, 2017 at Imphal, Manipur India.

Day of Book Realease

The day on the podium I stood
September 24, 2017
expecting the wave of conversations
in the hall to last few seconds more.
But the pin drop silence stunned me
deafening both my ears
a pinch of nervousness cheeped in
while the attention of the audience
pinpointed at me
i felt like new puppy just born;
as curious eyes daunted on me..

what can I say,
 the steam of silence was destined
to pump up my awaiting speech.
the day had come not knowing
how it had to happen
why it had happened.
but acknowledging  it
was  the only solution.

just thinking of what I wanted to say
and nothing more.
the message Ii meant to convey
to the people facing me around me,

.
so it  did happen and I did
what I wanted to do.

My Big Day

My Big Day. March 21, 2015

While growing up

I never knew what birth day celebration was.

We Manipuri Meiteis of India, only had

A customary religious ceremony known as “Laiming Lauba”

During  puberty or older,

 sanctifying the young ones(like baptism). Thereafter

A string of beads known as Urik had to be worn

Around one’s neck for good. Then,

Eating eggs banned permanently,

Only  fish being allowed we became fish vegetarians.

When I turned 19,  I had become a part of Delhi life

And birthday wishes came by surprise from friends

But never from my Manipuri family;

Soon marrying an outsider brought more life style changes.

When I was soon to turn 80 my daughter

Shobha confirmed I had no objections to revealing

My age, so she planned a celebration. The day before,

I was in my room watching TV shows,

When two figures barged into the room.

Was it real or just imaginary? My oldest

 Daughter Lata and my son Jibesh had flown

From Toronto for my Big Day, Saturday

March 21, 2015 at Clay Oven.  I cherish every moment of it.

The Chicken tandoori and fish curry, mixed vegetables,

Raita (yogurt with thinly sliced tomato, green chilli, salt), Paneer curry,

Kheer/rice pudding, accompanied by basmati rice, Nan/roti

Wine and beer in abundance along with fruit juices

In cans and bottles for all the guests,

My Indian and American friends along

With my loving family members. I love them all

And I love fish preparations in any form

And chicken dishes, too. I cannot ask for more.

Written by Jamuna Advani 10/15/15

My last trip to home town Imphal, India.

December 2015.

The Sangai Festival lured me
to the place I was born
my home town Imphal
But the gloomy air
hung on with the scarcity of everything.
availability of funds restricted from the banks
scarcity of things for daily needs doomed the atmosphere
the dragon blocade lurking all sides
the  gloomy air lingers in my breathe
while demonetized money flying all over
like an abandoned child..

  

My son’s Wedding Bell. (December 27, 2014)

Saturday, December 27, 2014 was the big day for my son Jibesh Advani and his fiancée Rachna Khetri as they  had been planning for the last one year. No doubt this is the big day for all the family members too, because all had come to Toronto from all over the state to attend the wedding.

v

Figure 1A Meera, Jyoti, Jamuna

I  arrived at Toronto two weeks earlier and stayed at my son and his fiancée Rachna’s new home which they recently purchased. It was cute and manageable house which could accommodate my two grandsons when they visit on alternate weekends,  other rooms for Shaaya, Rachna’s daughter from her previous marriage and Jyoti her mom. It was a comfortable cute moderately big house.  

Figure 2 Jamuna with Lata, Jibesh, Shobha

 Finally, our out of town guests, family members have arrived one day before the wedding and they were accommodated at Hotel Marriot. Saboos and Dutts were my sister-in-law, Meera’s  children and their families. Jaivardhan(Tinu) Meera’s sono-in-law was asked to speak and to perform as MC. Since he was ready to speak but not to be MC my daughter Lata took over the responsibility of being MC. Tinu’s wife Pallavi (Meera’s daughter) was all ready to dance after the wedding.  Their daughter Shivani, now in 12^th grade along with her cousins Maya, Ella, Alex were having good time. My second daughter Shobha’s sons Dev, Leon and Lucas were also able to attend as they all had Christmas vacation time.  So it was a big crowd of cousins when my other grandsons Gavin and Brayden joined the crowd. Saaiya was a part of the cousins’ crowd.  At my son and Rachna’s home all the cousins had fun at the basement with the wide screen TV on the wall.

The mini bus took all the guests to the Elite Bouquet Hall at 1850 Albion Road. The decoration along with the setup of the hall was superb  and done very artistically. Jyoti, Meera and I were there earlier as my son the groom had to be there before everyone turns up. The kids Gavin, Brayden and Saaya also came with us. The bride’s make up room was too small and hence we all were trying to accommodate at the hall way and around it, taking seats at the available chairs at the entrance.

The decoration at the hall and the wedding pandal was beyond imagination. A bit of cream color touch and shiny ingrates made it more decorative and elegant. All the guests were to be ushered to their assigned tables by Bianca and Saaya at the entrance to the hall. Brayden also helped the guests to enjoy the snacks and drinks arranged at the corner of the hall. The Pandal (where the priests performs rituals for the wedding} an enclosure at the end of the hall’s right hand side was artistically decorated with  white lacy fabrics and in the middle of it, the two chairs for the bride and the groom.  The other side was for the groom and bride’s mothers and aunt. At the opposite side was for the three kids and the priest who conducted the rituals for the wedding.

Figure 3Jibesh putting garland on Rachna

Figure 4 groom and bride ready for the wedding

Two professional camera men came ahead of the ceremony and started clicking pictures for all who were already present there. As the bramhin/priest came in the ritual started with groom sitting at the assigned chair while we all took our seats. The guests started arriving in time while the photographers  clicked  pictures for all the arriving guests. Lata my oldest daughter, the MC for the occasion started introducing the wedding plan step by step. When the ritual was ready for the bride to come inside, Lata announced and requested the audience to welcome the bride. Once the bride came in and exchange of garlands between the bride and groom took place as seen here.

 The oath was taken by both groom and bride in front of the lighted fire by going around it three times. Then later both had to step on seven pan petals declaring their live in health and sickness together until death.

Once the ceremony was over the priest took out the official court paper to be signed by witnesses.  Jyoti bride’s mom and I Jamuna,  groom’s mom signed the paper. Then they both were pronounced as husband and wife, Rachna was now Mrs Advani.  

Figure  5groom's mom welcoming the bride

Lata announced the offer of drinks and lassi while groom’s mother was asked to give her speech. So I was a bit surprised as I didn’t realize I had to speak first. I got up and welcomed Rachna into our Advani frmily. Then Betu/ Subir Dutt spoke followed by Tinu/Jai Saboo spoke in different languages. Lastly bride Rachna spoke as she remembered her dad who passed away one and half year back and she was missing him. Finally when the MC announced for drinks and also dinner at their assigned tables. Everyone enjoyed the drinks  followed by dinner. Once the dinner was over and tables were cleared the music was on. Then both groom and bride came to the dance floor and danced and later joined by all who enjoyed dancing. The dance floor was full and everyone was enjoying to heart’s content.

I was also dragged to the floor and hence joined the group. My second daughter Shobha was initiating for the dance and I followed her to join the group of dancers already on the floor. My son’s friends, some of them who were Canadians wearing  Indian outfits for the occasion were having fun. As a mother, my heart swelled with happiness. Most of the guests stayed till 12 midnight which was the time limit allowed for the wedding at the venue. Almost everyone left and our family members only were waiting for the limousine to come and pick us all back to the hotel and home. One of my son’s friend was not leaving as he was excited talking to Jibesh after few drinks. Finally we could say good night to him and we could get back home in our vehicle.

A poem for the newly married couple:

The second chance of love and happiness

Now found in my son’s life,

The broken string of vows of a married life

Which laid shattered, and scattered, while

The threads connecting lives of their

Innocent kids hanging loose,

Revealing in their eyes, trauma and sadness

Now healed with time and love.

As the universe embraces them

Into a future of eternal hope and love

Holding hands together

Vows taken to the spirit of life

“The Fire”

A promise for their future live,

A new year and a new oath taken on this day,  

While their kids and all others ring the bell of happiness.

A mother’s cry of happiness can be reckoned

As her only son now relieved from the

Four walls of grief and sorrow

His  broken heart now healed

A newly found love in his life

Tying a fresh new knot

For a family life filled with peace and happiness.

As a mother, I breathe in the echoes of it

Then breath out eternal blessings

To the newly married couple.

 

visitors

My travelogue: October 11, 2017
My friend from Shillong Ms Nurara Hazarika and Anita Teckchandani arrived at Imphal Tulihal airpot  around 12 noon and about 30 minutes interval between them. Gojen and I took pass to go inside and wait for them till both arrive and get their luggage. Even though it was hot that day since we could stay inside it was pleasurable experience.

at awunching garden    

at MMRC & UNITY PARK,
khangabok, Thoubal

As Anita arrived earlier we had to wait for Mrs Hazarika to arrive and she could come out about 30 minutes later. we finally could come out with their luggage. it was indeed a nice get together after about 7 years with Nurara and one year with  Anita. It was no doubt a memorable encounter for three of us. We really enjoyed stay together at Hotel Imphal after staying one night at Irabanta's fith floor. After sightseeing it was going to be a difficult climb for both of them and hence decided to book a room for three of us with extra bed.


First day we just drove around Imphal town and next day we headed for Loktak Lake at Moirang.
October 12, 2017. On the way to Moirang we stopped at the India Peace Memorial. Then drove toward Khuga Dam at Churachandpur a town.later after Churachandpur visited the INA museum  then headed toward Sendra and for boating at Loktak lake.

boat ride at loktak

A little incident made all of us shaky but luckily Mrs Nurara Hazarika fell down while getting into the boat after taking shelter from  the storm hit ting the lake and the islands.Next day we had a good timeAunching garden and then Kombirei Leikol.

Boat ride at Loktak

 we tried typical manipuri food at Luxmi kitchen where Nurara liked it a lot but for Anita it didn't appeal her much. they tried chakhao kheer and fish cake/nga paknum.
My friends gold some gold earring for her grand kid for remembrance. she also got things for her use at home business.  Anita got a gift of blanket from Irabanta.and an umbrella for Nurara.

taking shelter at island at loktak

aunching garden

KAKCHING GARDEN

on 15 October we had gone to wwll memorial cemetery then in the evening a stroll at the evening plaza by the kangla pat.

Kakching garden

At kakching garden

Rainy day at kakching

at Aunching

sendra at Loktak lake

Sendra near Loktak lake

dam at churachandpur

at spot last Japanese battle

at Kombirei leikol

kombirei leikol

evening plaza at Kanglapat

lunch at kombirei leikol

Evening plaza at Kanla pat

stroll at evening plaza kanglapat.

Both my friends left on 16th October for their home at Shillong and Kolkata. The memories spending together at Hotel Imphal will remain always a sweet one.

Interview

October 9, 2017

It was a great and enjoyable day for me when Ms Yembem Tombi Devi along with Mr.Aribam Shantikumar and Mr. Irom Pivershu Singh from All India Rado, Imphal station visited my brother Irabanta's house where I'm staying. Interviewing me to know about my origin as a child and my continuing education after my IA from D M college to the time of graduation for nursing under Delhi University. We talked about my marriage to an outsider and my professional life then my life as a housewife, mother, and grandmother. Lastly my life as a writer, we discussed how I got into writing. Initially I never imagined to write and publish a book. After publishing my three book in English finally I could publish a book in Manipuri titled " Nurse Hemabati." Finally I gifted a copy my book to each of them. Took pictures together.. We parted after drinks and snack.