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Rongali Bihu celebrations in Delhi

It was merriment time for the Assamese community in the capital who swayed to the reverberating tunes of bihu songs and dance at a mega celebration here. The venue of this year’s main Bihu by the Assam Association, Delhi was Lal Chowk, Pragati Maidan. Far from home but not far away from the homeland spirit, a large crowd of around 3000 people thronged the celebrations organized on Sunday evening.

The affluence and abundant endowment of nature in the Assam valley during this time of the year is rightly reflected in the spirit of Rongali Bihu, celebrated in the first Assamese month of Bohag.

At the celebrations, Assamese child, youth and old, from neighbouring satellite cities of Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Noida apart from Delhi poured in. 'The gathering is really overwhelming. I am happy to be associated with Assamese people on this great occasion' Mr Jayant Kastuar,Secretary Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Chief guest, spoke on the occasion. There were other guests of honour like Mr N M Bora,CMD, OIL; Mr. H S Brahma, IAS, Secretary to GOI, Dr Atul Sarma, Member 13th Finance Commission, who graced the occasion. Dr Sarma released the ‘Samayik’- magazine of the Association.


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Bihu team with Ms Sanghamitra Ghosh, Principal of the primary section of Mother's International School, Delhi

The crowd went into raptures when a group of youngsters presented husori, or Bihu carols, accompanied by musical instruments like dhol (drum), taal (brass cymbal) and mohor xingor pepa (buffalo horn pipe), gogona (Jew’s harper). It was followed by some mood lifting popular numbers by guest artist young Ms Abhishruti Bezbaruah. Bihu dance by a bevy of Delhi bred small children mesmerized the crowd soon after, hinting continuance of the vibrant Assamese cultural life in the busy capital city.

Star attraction of the evening was noted Assamese playback singer Mr Dwipen Barooah, who sang more than 350 film songs for Assamese films. Mr Barooah sang for more than 1 hour, and kept the audience spellbound with evergreen Assamese numbers.


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Bihu performance at the Mother's International School, Delhi

A team sent by Culture Department of Assam Government performed bihu towards the end and lifted the mood. 'This is an amazing period for us Assamese. It is simply enjoyment right now and nothing else' said Ms Bina Saikia, a professional who hails from Dibrugarh and is employed with an IT firm at Gurgaon. The finale came with 'mukoli Bihu' when every one danced together once again celebrating the New Year spirit, but in a free for all mode.

The bihu team was taken on next day to the Mother’s International School for a performance before the Primary section students. The aim is to propagate Assamese culture among young people. The team also performed at ‘Disang Club’ of Oil India Ltd, apart from doing a recording for Doordarshan.

Author info

Manoj Kumar Das's picture

Comments

tassaduque hussain's picture

Fantastic coverage of Bihu celebrations in Delhi, Congratulations and keep it up. Regards
Kishore Baruah's picture

Congratulations to the organisers for bringing together the Assamese community in Delhi area to celebrate Rongali Bihu.
Pinky Pradhan's picture

It so good to know that we are keeping the tradition and spirit of Bihu alive. Thank you Manoj da , for so beautifully, capturing the programme, even though I couldn't attend it, I feel as if i was there after reading your feature.
Jayantimala Devi's picture

Good, Manoj. But, there is an important omission - you forgot to record the enthralling performance by Abhishruti Bezbarua, an internationally acclaimed upcoming singer from Assam.- Must be an oversight.
Prodip Borkakoty's picture

Thanks Manojda for keeping me abreast of our bihu celebrations Delhi in this distant Land and keeping our JAOTIJUGIYA POROMPORA alive
Mridul Bhuyan's picture

The Bihu Dance presented by Assam Association, Gurgaon should have been mentioned, as association was invited to participate.
Manoj Kr Das's picture

Hi Mridul! It was not the detailed description of the programme..few items were only highlighted due to lack of space.. 'Jogajog' will carry out the list of programmes with credit to all..to Jayanti Baidew..Ms Abhishruti's name is there in the second para..Tc
Jayantimala Devi's picture

Extremely sorry, Manoj! An oversight on MY PART. Did not see beyond the photographs.
chandan Sarma's picture

Congrats for the Bihu celebration in Delhi, but the arrangement was too poor. It’s not like Bihu celebration in Delhi as there was no proper lighting, sound system, etc. If there had been more Bihu songs and dance it could have made a better Bihu celebration
maina's picture

Yes chandan you are right. The program was too poor compared to the last year Bihu celebration.

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