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.
In yet another tragic incident, the children met watery grave and five persons went missing after a boat manned by National Disaster Response Force personnel on a rescue mission to help flood-stranded people capsized at Makum in Tinsukia district on Sunday.
According to reports, there were around 15 people in the boat, including Army and NDRF personnel when it capsized at around 4 in the afternoon in Barekuri area of Makum in the flood waters. An operation has been launched to search for the five missing persons.
Schools and colleges in Majuli have been closed indefinitely from Monday. The decision was taken in view of rising flood waters which have submerged over 70 per cent landmass of the river island. The district administration issued the ordered on Sunday afternoon. A nine-member SDRF team has been airlifted to the island to help rescue stranded people in the affected areas.
The United Liberation Font of Asom’s anti-talk faction on Sunday comes down heavily on BJP and its youth wing alleging that the proposed procession in Arunachal Pradesh would only provoke China. In an e-mail statement, the anti-talk faction of the outfit said that the proposed mid-October procession along Indo-China border would only provoke the neighbor. It further asked BJP’s youth wing not to make the people of Assam a scapegoat. Notably, BJP’s youth wing is gearing up to take out a procession in Arunachal Pradesh to offer tribute to the 1962 heroes.
The Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park have been reeling under floods and there is no hope of an immediate relief. Alert has been sounded in the Kaziranga National Park. At least 15 anti-poaching camps of Kaziranga have been submerged, forcing the security staff to shift to boats in order to keep an eye on poachers. The mighty Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level mark in Dibrugarh, Nimatighat, Dhemaji, Tezpur and Dhansirimukh in Kaziranga.
Dispur has deployed at least 16 teams of the National Disaster Response Force, 60 army teams and 18 teams of the State Disaster Response Force in relief and rescue efforts in worst flood affected districts. IAF has deployed four helicopters in the Sadia subdivision in Tinsukia district to air drop necessary food items and rescue marooned people. Ferry services have also been stopped at Sadia and Majuli in Jorhat district as the Brahmaputra river is over flowing. Several villages have been submerged in Sadia and Majuli.
The flood situation turns grim with over 800,000 people affected in at least 15 districts. According to information, seven people died during the past one week where over 700 villages have also been submerged in the affected areas. The worst-hit districts are Kamrup, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur.
The devastating flood waters are posing serious threat to Guwahati where parts of the premier north eastern city have come under the surging waters of the Brahmaputra. Surging waters of the mighty river have spilled into Pandu where over 1000 houses have been inundated on Saturday midnight. Some more areas are feared to have been submerged in the city. If the water level of the mighty river continues to rise, then fancy bazaar, Lakhtakia, Maligaon and Panbazar would be submerged within the next 24 hours.
The Assam government deploys evacuation tram in the flood hit areas and announced relief measures. But those displaced have not yet received anything. Talking to assamtimes, affected people in Dhemaji and Majuli said that the relief measures are confined to som selected pockets. Thousands of people in he remote areas are still remaining trapped without any help.
The fourth flood wave continue to wreak havoc displacing nearly 5 lakh people during the last five days. The Brahmaputra and its tributaries are overflowing following the incessant rains in ArunachalPradesh. Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger mark and more than seven lakh people are said to be affected in the heavy and incessant rainfall over the past few days. Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Nagaon, Kamrup and Barpeta are worst-hit where surface communication remains heavily disrupted. Flood waters are posing serious threat to Majuli along with Kaziranga, Manah and Dibru saikhowa.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has strongly denied sending Koyu with money meant for AICC fund. In a statement, Tuki said that his name was unnecessarily dragged into the controversy. “I never asked any Koyu to send any money to party high command. Congress party doesn't transfer money like this”, he said. Meanwhile, Koyu who happens to be the president of All Arunachal Contractors Welfare Society has filed an FIR against Joshi. Papum Pare SP Hibu Tamang said that the Rs.1 crore has got nothing to do with the Congress party or the chief minister.
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