For Maharashtrians, it is Gudi Padwa; for Bengalis, Poila Boishakh; for Keralites, Vishu — and for the Meiteis of Manipur, it is Sajibu Cheiraoba. Or, as Khaidem Rishikanta Singh and Khundongbam Salainganba Meetei, the core organisers of the celebrations, describe it, “Doraemon’s Anywhere Door”, as they soak in the festivities that transport them back home to Manipur. After weeks of anticipation, the Meitei community in Mumbai finally gathered in Kalina on Thursday to celebrate their New Year together. 

As we entered the school ground that served as the venue, the space glowed under warm string bistro lights and rustic sundowner decor. At the centre stood a huge circular pathway where people would later gather for Thabal Chongba, or the ‘Moonlight Dance’, a traditional folk dance performed during the five-day-long New Year festivities in their home state.