496
By – Randhir Thiyam, Uripok
When five days of Yaoshang bloom across Manipur
like a sanctioned riot of rainbows,
and the drums of Thabal Chongba pulse under moonlight nerves—
let’s riot responsibly, five days, shall we?
Armor your skin in oil—
because even joy needs a primer.
Choose colors born of petals, not chemicals;
let the earth blush with us, not burn.
Dress like the sun is watching,
sunglasses on—so even mischief must blink first.
Hydrate: the only thing we should drain is ego.
Ask before you stain—consent is the brightest color.
Guard the elders and the little childrens,
keep phones dry and dignity drier.
No balloons ambushing strangers, no bikes drunk on bravado—
five days of wild—then fold the rainbow, gently, and go home.
