The London Bihu Committee (LBC), UK, held their annual Rongali Bihu celebration last Sunday, the 3rd May 2009. The event was held in a new location in Hornchurch, East London and the changeable British weather kindly held up for the occasion.
The Committee deliberately chose a larger venue on the back of Rongali London Bihu 2008's staggering success. The Campion School is of Catholic denomination and the multicultural and inclusive nature of the British Assamese community could not be better summed up than celebrating the reaping of the Brahmaputra-induced harvest in front of Mother Mary herself.
The hall itself was decorated with ample Xorais, japis gamosas and incongruously hung balloons on the pillars. One keen observer noted the hall wasn't sure if it was supposed to be a temple or a kid's party! The ladies of the LBC did themselves proud by making a range of home made Assamese jolpan Sira-doi-gur (Suravi Lahon), Narikol laroo (Krishna Baruah) , Ghila pitha (Geeta Borooah), Tilor laroo (Neera Borkakoti). These were complimented with a variety of cakes (Ilu Ahmed) and children’s food (Geeta Sikdar) and children’s snacks (Neeta Borkakoti)...all much appreciated by the eager crowd.
After an energetic opening speech by Neera Borkakoti, the LBC President, the cultural show featured some of the youngest members of the British Assamese community displaying their dancing talents to such good effect that there was a repeat performance in the second half - back by popular demand!
The main guest artist was Prija Goswami from Guwahati, who wooed the crowd with her splendid Satriya and Bihu dances. We then had the usual display of Husori, singing, dancing and musical performance that we have come to expect from the cultural show.
The Vote of thanks was once again this year given by the LBC General Secretary Sanjay Sikdar in his own inimitably laid back style, and as usual he didn't forget to thank anyone, including the chap who was rolling out the dough for the puris.
This year, it is fair to say that London Rongali Bihu broke their own records set last year in terms of attendance and popularity. The hundreds of revellers present enjoyed the time set aside for Bihu dance, and the atmosphere generated by the enthusiasm of the audience meant that the drink flowed freely. Some people certainly seemed especially thirsty.
The finale of the evening was the Bihu Bhoj with tender chicken, spicy okra and melt in the mouth lamb amongst a plethora of other dishes. The Rasomalai police were also out in full force to prevent the premature consumption of the hall's favourite dessert and fortunately they did not have to make too many arrests.
All in all it is understating things to say we are all looking forward to next year. Rongali Bihu: what do we do? Usually drink, usually dance, usually bhalkoi -khou.
PermalinkSubmitted by Sunita on Mon, 11/05/2009 - 10:34
Myself, my husband and our two little ones had a great time at this year's Rongali Bihu celebrations in London.
Thanks to the orgnisers for all the effort that they put in to make the event such a roaring success.
Looking forward to next year !
PermalinkSubmitted by Dr. Rajinder Singh on Tue, 12/05/2009 - 16:57
I would like to congratulate the London Bihu Committee for hosting and organising the fantastic function. Although I am a Sikh from Punjab, I have attending and enjoying with the Assamese community for last 22yrs and I have been adopted as a honourary Assamese.
PermalinkSubmitted by d.khargharia on Sun, 17/05/2009 - 03:49
Excellent Bihu celebration and we are proud of LBC at such place we Assamese people are spreading our culture and custom of Assamese society. Hope such function may follow grand success in future also.
D.Khargharia
SIVASAGAR
ASSAM (INDIA)
PermalinkSubmitted by Mohan Chandra M... on Wed, 20/05/2009 - 10:39
It was a great celebration far away from home. Actually it was my first attendance in a bihu celebration in London. My wife is from Gujurat and we are newly married. So, we really enjoyed but missed our love ones back home in India. I thank all the organisers for this grand success specially Dr. Khogeswar Lahon who informed me about this programme.
PermalinkSubmitted by Pranoy on Wed, 17/06/2009 - 17:12
@ Bharati
Very funny,are you making of fun of assamese existance in UK or you are very poor in written english or you thought assamese are from planet MARS ????
PermalinkSubmitted by Nick Diaz on Mon, 19/10/2009 - 08:14
Hi,
Well written account on the celebrations, though slightly annoyed to see lusi's being called puri's. There is a difference: the lusi is finer and inflates far more than the mainland Indian puri.
- Nick
PermalinkSubmitted by JOLY BORAH on Sun, 08/11/2009 - 15:04
HELLOOO...EVERYONE.I m 4m guwahati,assam.i m a professional choreographer n teach bihu dance,jhumur,kushan,bardoisikhla... n also creative dance based on indian n bollywood songs n music.i wanna perform n conduct a workshop in d assamese commitee there.will somebody help me??
PermalinkSubmitted by Jeet Roy on Sat, 05/12/2009 - 07:48
I am really eager to get in touch with the Assamese community over here in London.Can any one please help me?? As we all know Maag Bihu is not that far!!i dont wanna miss home. I live in the Kingsbury area.. my no is 07574043416
PermalinkSubmitted by S.Talukdar on Tue, 08/12/2009 - 02:45
May I request the Assamese people living in UK to kindly inform me if any free/reasonably priced guest house/paying guest accommodation is available in London or elsewhere in UK for Assamese people interested to visit UK for 1/2 weeks.Kindly mail me at sibentalukdar@rediffmail.com or call +919231896500.
PermalinkSubmitted by Bikash Jyoti Ha... on Tue, 02/03/2010 - 03:14
Very glad to see your valuable website.At present I am in London for another week.My cell number is +447556251734.If any one I can meet here,I will be very much glad.
B J Hazarika.
PermalinkSubmitted by Utpal Dutta on Thu, 06/05/2010 - 17:51
Hi I am Utpal From Duliajan Assam ... We have a Large group of BIHU and BHAUNA HOTRIYA and many more .... can we have a chance to perform any event at your Society ?
PermalinkSubmitted by Utpal Dutta on Mon, 24/05/2010 - 19:32
We r conducting Shows in Assamese Folk and Classical both in Assam and various part of India............ So if we get a chance to come there then we get a chance to perform our skills
PermalinkSubmitted by Monisha Bordoloi on Sun, 22/08/2010 - 05:16
Im a singer, performer of instruments. dancer, music composer of Assam. I look forward to perform in ur state. If You require more information bout me.. search google on My name- Monisha Bordoloi. Thanking You all.
PermalinkSubmitted by Swapnanil Talukdar on Mon, 18/04/2011 - 01:14
Although , I am an habitant from Assam , Guwahati ; I m very glad to see , hear , know , about the organisation L b c , organizing the most awaited festival Rangali Bihu. In guwahati too we celebrate it with all our anticipation , knowing about the bihu with all the support from the english people there , it is truely a great achievement by our people . I being @ student of class 9 , i am proud of being an Assamese . Actualy , when in future i will visit there i would like to be a part of such inagruation and share pithas and ladoos.
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