- Dr. Debabrata Sarma
RongaliBihu, April 22, 2011, Portland, Oregon
The Portland Osomiya community enthusiastically agreed to host this year’s RongaliBihu in their beautiful city. The venue was located in an idyllic village like surrounding where you hear only songs of birds. It was a nice break from the hectic daily work life all of us are accustomed to in this country. The bright sun also decided to show up on this day after long months of dreary dark skies.

The celebration started with Vavani Sarma taking the responsibility of conducting the cultural evening asking our seniormost member, Mahendra Baruah to give the introductory speech.
The opening song “SreeMoyeeOsomir …” was rendered by the Seattle ladies and gentlemen nicely attired for the event. After everybody introduced themselves, the three “Bihuwatis”, Julie, Manashi and Gitashri did a scintillating Bihu dance to the tune of a Bihu song by AngarajMahanta.
The kids program started with a modern dance recital by Rhea and Lana to the tune of “UruwaBotahe…”, followed by an Odissi dance recital by Barbi. Niribili Sarma did a nice solo Bihu dance.

Kabita and ShrutiNath nicely rendered the song “BeelatePhoolise…” The little kids from Portland, Rhea, Anish, Aiyushka, and Aroosh danced to the tune, “PhoolPhooliseBosontot…”
SujataTalukdar and LathaNath sang nice solo songs in Osomiya and Hindi respectively.
The must awaited “Husori” was performed by the Seattle gents and ladies. The team included DwipenBhagawatiwithDhol, AmalanChakraborti, SarangaGoswami, TridibGogoi, Rubul Das, Debabrata Sarma, and SarathNath from California. The nasanis were, Julie Gogoi, Manashi Das, GitashriGoswami, NanditaRajkhowa, Mapi Bose, and Sangeeta Bezbaruah. The Bihusongs on the background was rendered by MinakshiBarua and Juri Sarma.

Nilanjona Nath from California announced the publication of a new electronic magazine, “BordoiChilla”. After a stint on “MukoliBihu” by everyone, the cultural event ended with “O’ MourApoonarDesh…” and “JonoGono Mono…”
The evening ended with a dinner of delicious food supplies alongwith “MaasorJhool” and “MaasorTenga”. MinakshiBaruaadded the Bihu touch by bringing home made Tel Pitha and Sonali’s mom thoughtfully brought some delicious laroos and pithas from Asom. Thanks to the Portland families for arranging a wonderful Bihunight in a nice location and venue.
Vavani Sarma brought a collectionofsome Osomiya books from his recent visit to Asom with the intention of using the sale proceeds for the Cancer Care organization he started in Asom. SatyajitNath opened an AFNA desk explaining different ongoing projects. He could collect a donation of about $1500 dollars for the various projects.
Bihu pictures are courtesy of DwipenBhagawati and Chiranjeeb Buragohain.