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.
Over 300 youths marched through the streets of Sivasagar town on Wednesday to protest government failure to take action on the army jawan involved in the recent molestation in Demow. Baring their pants, the young protesters representing 22 organizations marched through the streets of the town. Later they held a meeting outside the Deputy Commissioner's office. They were joined by hundreds of bystanders. Then they were stopped from entering the DC's office premises by police personnel who set up barricades. The organizations include ATASU, TMPK, AASU, AJYCP, KMSS) and Brihattar Asomiya Parishad. They said that they would continue the agitation programme till all till the demands are met.
The CPI(M) has accused Dispur of a huge failure in firmly dealing with the situation to stop escalating violence in Assam. It asked the government to take immediate steps to restore law and order. In a statement, the called the failure a monumental one of the Congress-led Government.
Delhi on Wednesday directed Dispur to nab the ring leaders involved in ethnic clash in BTAD areas. Further, it ruled out a Bangladeshi hand in the entire episode where 42 people lost their lives. According to Union Home Secretary R K Singh, 2,000 central security personnel have been deputed to guard Guwahati-bound trains and railway tracks which were disrupted.Singh said that the international border is sealed and that it was impossible for any intruders to foment trouble from across the border. Around 2,500 paramilitary personnel have reached Assam to assist the local administration.
In a bid to bring the situation under control in Kokrajahr, Chirang and Dhubri, the Centre is all prepared to talk to the leaders of the both warring factions. According t sources, two senior home ministry officials are all set to hold talks with the Bodo leaders and minority leaders on Wednesday or Thursday in Dhubri and Kokrajhar. Around 1,500 more paramilitary personnel have been rushed in with orders to shoot at sight.
Around 1,50,000 people fled their homes at the height of the group clash after it erupted on Friday last. The displaced people, mostly, have taken shelter in government schools and buildings. Over 10,000 people in these trouble torn districts have escaped to neighbouring West Bengal. Trucks carrying essential supplies are remaining stranded halfway.
In Guwahati, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi held a meeting of government officials, including the chief secretary, to monitor the situation.
In the continuing orgy of violence, 6 more people were killed taking the death toll to 41 in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts on Wednesday. Kokrajhar district administration has relaxed curfew from 8 in the morning to 12 noon. But only to be reimposed indefinitely. Curfew has also been extended indefinitely in Chirang and Dhubri districts.With 13,000 troops, army staged flag march in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Dhubri and Bongaigaon district in presence of a magistrate.
An all party delegation of the Assam legislative assembly is on a stock taking visit to Kokrajhar on Wednesday.Indefinite curfew is still in force in some parts of Dhubri and Chirang. Army and Para military forces have intensified patrolling in the violence hit districts. Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh had earlier said that he has been in continuous touch with the Chief Secretary and the Assam Director General of Police.
The orgy of violence ravaging three districts of lower Assam spreads to the Bengal border. Thousands of people from scores of villages are fleeing to safer places in West Bengal during the last couple of days. Around 1,500 more paramilitary personnel have been deployed in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts with shoot at sight orders. More than 1 lakh people have been displaced. These displaced people, mostly, shifted to 55 relief camps. The Army staged a flag march on Wednesday morning in Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Chirang and Bongaigaon, the first since violence began four days ago.
The Army on Wednesday began flag marches in a bid to ring the situation under control. Moreover, night curfew are still in force three days after it was clamped to control the situation. Tensions between Bodos and Muslims over control of land and settlements have been simmering for a long time. The violence has spread to 400 villages in the Bodoland Territorial Administered Districts.
Violence spreads diabolic tentacles in five lower Assam districts killing at least 38 besides displacing around 1 lakh people till Wednesday. Four more people were killed in two incidents of shoot outs in Chirang district taking up the death toll to 40. There are reports of fresh incidents in both the districts where hundreds of abandoned houses were burnt down in scores of villages in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts. It was learnt that Meghalaya governor RS Mushahary’s native village was also not spared.
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