It was a beautiful day in London on Saturday, April 8. Spring was in full bloom as the Assamese people from all over the UK gathered together with their families and friends in colourful outfits in Hornchurch, Greater London to celebrate the Rongali Bihu. The sound of Bihu songs and the aroma of Assamese foods filled the air. Bornali Kalita a renowned singer from Assam added glitter to the occasion. The dancing Bihuwas brought the Bihu spirit in full to the London Bihutoli. The young and not so young, Assamese and non-Assamese alike joined in the fun, making it a truly vibrant evening.
The day started with a Bihu Jalpan of pitha- pona, laru and dai chira provided by London Bihu Committee (LBC) members -Bhabani Kakati , Neera Borkakoti, Geeta Borooah , Krishna Baruah , Suravi Lahon, Urbashi Barua, Rimli Das Borkakoti and Mamoni (Gita) Sarmah. This was followed by musical chairs where the competition was stiff youngest participant being a 2 year old!
Jiten Borkakoti as President of the LBC welcomed the guests with an opening address. This was followed by the Luitparia cultural Group of London presenting a well- choreographed Dasavatar Nritya. The LBC members sang “Asom amar Rupahi—”as a chorus. Popular Assamese songs and Bihu dances were performed by various local artists before Bornali Kalita walked on to the stage to captivate the audience with her hit songs. Mamoni (Gita) Sarmah as General Secretary of LBC presented a gift to Bornali Kalita on behalf of the LBC and also offered the vote of thanks.
Rishi Kakati, Sanjay Sikdar and Jay Borkakoti compered the event. Zaved Choudhury and Manas Borah took charge of running and publicising the event and they were supported by Javed Rahman, Pallabita Borah and Afreen Rasul. Dinesh Kakati, Apurba Baruah, Jayanta Barua, Amit Sarmah, Khogeswar Lahon, Sasha Sikdar, Bornali Bahia, Neeta Borkakoti, Susannah Kakati and Jibon Gogoi helped in the efficient running of the day. A raffle held at the end of the day added an extra helping of joy in the already fun filled evening.
The evening ended with a delicious Indian dinner and the audience left happy promising to themselves to meet again at the next year’s Bihu. The members of the LBC were extremely happy to see the level of satisfaction and recommitted themselves enthusiastically to keep the tradition of holding a Rongali Bihu every year in London alive
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