Rongali bihu celebration in Pune

With the advent of spring, sweet voice of cuckoo, fragrance of newly born “kopooh flowers” all around, the most imperative and beautiful festival of Assam Rongali or Bohag Bihu comes.

It derives its name from Sanskrit Vishuvam when day and night are rendered equal through the vernal equinox. It concurs with the Assamesse New Year in April and corresponds to the month of Chaitra in the lunar calendar. People welcome the spring season and pray for a bountiful and rich harvest.

Rongali bihu, the festival of joy and merriment, beautiful maidens dancing on the tune of “Dhol, Pepa, Gagana”, and sweet love songs sung by young boys, with all dressed in beautiful, eye-catching traditional attire.

Like every Assamese people around the world, people residing in Pune celebrated Rongali bihu on May 2, 2009 at Sylet Mess Ground, Bombay Sapers under the banner of ASSAM CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF PUNE, ACAP. The beautiful function was started traditionally with beautiful Husori followed by Diha Naam, performed by invited Bihu artists Someshwar Koch, Jayanta Bhuyan, Nipul Bora, Ridip Das Pabita Bora, Anup Boruah And Ritu Bora from Jamugurihaat, Tezpur, Assam, later on “Samuhik Aasirwaad “ given to all the people. Bonti Prajwalan was done by Honourable guests, Advocate Nilesh Nikam, Councillor, Pune Municipal Corporation and Bhanupratap Barge, Sr. Inspector of Police. An welcome speech was given by Advocate A.K Borthakur, President ACAP, later on Honourable guests espressed their views and gratitude towards the people of Assam gathered for the programme, they spoke about the rich culture of Assam and friendship between people of Assam and Maharashtra. Guests were felicitated by traditionally rich Assamese Gamosha.

Beautiful celebration was garlanded by Goalporiya lokageet by Pranab Saikia, Adhunik Geet by Rohan Gogoi and Utpal Burman, a striking Fusion Dance named “Pohar” performed by Devika Borthakur and troupe was one of the main attraction. “Sangeetalokhya” (a mixing of JIkir, Bagorumba, Zumur, Missing Bihu, Borgeet, Biyanaam, Bihu) sung by the troupe from Tezpur, Assam. Beautiful Maidens performed bihu dance, on the taals and love songs of young boys, with the electrifying performance crowd could not stop their feet and came to the field and danced on the tunes and music of “Dhol”.

At the end, there was a cultural component to help people unwind followed by a lavish “BHOJ” dinner with Fish and special “Aam Tok” made up of mango with various other delicacies.


By Pranjal Saikia, Pune