Dubai, April 17: The Assamese Community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) celebrated Rongali Bihu on 16th April last, with traditional fervor and gaiety.
This year a record of over 250 people gathered at the Metropolitan Palace Hotel Dubai for a cultural evening featuring popular guest artistes from Assam as well as local pool of talents from UAE. The guest artistes to have graced the occasion coming all the way from Assam were Jayanta Nath, Monisha Bordoloi, Prijya Hazarika and Prayashi Bora.
The Chief Guest for the Program was Mr. Sanjay Verma, the newly joined Consul General of India based in Dubai. The Consul General accompanied by his wife Mrs Sangita Verma, congratulated the organizers for the excellent display of traditional Assamese attires, food items as well the rich cultural heritage of the State. Senior Dubai resident Aswini Borkotoky, welcomed the gathering on behalf of the organizers, Assam Society, UAE. The guests were felicitated with the traditional gamosa and souvenirs.
One of the star attractions of the grand evening was noted Assamese Singer, dancer and musician, Mrs. Monisha Bordoloi, who enthralled the audience with new songs as well as popular songs from yesteryears including lilting Bihu songs.
Another star attraction of the program was the guest artiste Jayanta Nath from Jorhat. Jayanta Nath, a singer, composer and music director, entertained the audience in his inimitable style with a variety of Assamese and folk songs, with the audience literally dancing to his tunes. This is the second time, after his performance in Dubai in 2006, that Sri Nath appeared in the Bihu Celebrations of the Society. Sri Nath also inaugurated his new music album entitled ‘Manabata’ in the same program.The duo of Jayanta Nath and Monisha Bordoloi also put up an impressive joint performance which took the show well past midnight to the joy of those present. They were supported by Partha Goswami, Sumon Bordoloi and Arindam Baruah in background scores.
Instrumental Numbers by Prayashi Bora, Guwahati The cultural function got off to an early start with ‘Okonir Mel’ where the tiny‐tots had the opportunity to display their talents in different areas. All the young participants received gifts in order to encourage participation in future events and also carry on the tradition of Assamese Culture. Children were also given away prizes for participating in the Drawing Competition organized in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the eve of the Bihu celebrations. Mr. Amiruddin Ajmal, head of Dubai and Assam based Ajmal Perfumes Group, distributed the prizes.One of the highlights of the program was the very lively Hussori performance. The hussori troupe was led by Partha Pratim Goswami and supported by Sumon Bordoloi, Dayananda Gogoi, Bibhuti Brata Sharma, Sandeep Bhagowati, Dipak Tumung, Iswar Prasanna Das, Tandeep Bhagowati, Shyamoli Pathak Bora, Dimple Bhagowati, Sumana Bhuyan and Suman Khaund Baruah.
A chorus, ‘Srimoyi Axomor Xitol bukut’, was performed by Sumon Khound Barua, Sangita Bhagowati, Sumana Bhuyan, Dimple Bhagowati, Mommy Dowerah, Dayananda Gogoi, Sumon Bordoloi, Dipak Tumung, Arman Hazorika, Sandeep Bhagowati with the accompaniment of background music by Partha Goswami, Arindam Baruah and Shyamoli Pathak Bora.The program was ably compeered by Abidul Islam (Abu Dhabi) and Syed Faruk Ahmed (Dubai) – both first timers for such an event in UAE. The memorable moments of the Bihu celebrations were captured in her lens by Ipsita Barua with a professional touch.The 5th edition of Probaxi Bihuwan, the souvenir of Assam Society (UAE), Dubai was unveiled by Mr. Sanjay Verma, the honourable Consul General of India, the same evening.
The eventful evening also witnessed the formal launch of the new look website of the Society at www.assamuae.org . Also launched was the new logo of Assam Society, UAE – designed by Mrs. Sumana Bhuyan.The dinner organized at the hotel premises had Assamese flavor too – with helpings of Rou Fish Fry and Kawoi Fish curry.This is the 12th year that the Assam Society, Dubai, has organized this event, having started off way back in 1999 with a two day outdoor programme at the Bin Majid Beach Resort in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
This year saw a surge in Sponsors for the program with some sponsors even from far away Assam. The sponsors were Petrochem, Ajmal Perfumes, Al Khaleej Sugar, Abharan Jewellery, Al Dowobi, Avon Division of Al Hathboor Group, Bank of Baroda, Barbeque Delight, Carlease, Citibank, Colgate Total, Holcim Trading FZCO, Home Centre, IORA (Kaziranga), Life Insurance Corporation, Moti Mahal Restaurant, Paras Pharma FZE, Premier Enterprises (Guwahati0, Samsung Gulf, Stargate, Al Murshidi Perfumes, Tumung Property Consultants (Guwahati), Jaffrey Zaman, UAE Exchange and Zee TV Network.
For the first time for a Bihu Celebrations, several competitions were organized this year – including ‘Sriman‐Srimoyee’ Contest – best attired male and female from among the audience, Food Mela – a competition to recognize best ethnic food/ snack preparations, Okonir Mel – to spot and encourage young talents from among the community. Food Mela saw a huge response from several expert cooks who prepared authentic and delicious Bihu specialities...the young generation participated actively in Okonir Mel and the Painting Competition...a handful of secret judges selected Sriman and Srimoyee 2010. 1st and 2nd prize winners in male category were Tonmoy Barooah and Rajesh Goswami respectively, whereas in the female category Yasmin Hazarika was the winner and Deepika Kataky was the runners'up.Also on display on the venue were traditional dresses brought all the way from Assam – courtesy Fabric Plus, Guwahati and handcrafted dresses by Mrs Phunu Dutta of Abu Dhabi.The event was organized successfully with a host of active members from Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi ably led by Anupal Phookan.
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