- Parthajit Baruah
Rongali Bihu was celebrated on April 30,2011 with great gusto and enthusiasm by the Assamese community of the Greater Boston region. After weeks of intense preparation of the cultural events, the excitement was palpable when the day finally arrived. About 70 people gathered in the evening attired in their traditional best - ladies in colorful Mekhala-Chadars and gentlemen in crisp Kurta-Pyjamas.
The evening started with the assembled gathering treated to some lip smacking Assamese snacks. The people ate the Chira-Doi-Kumol-Saul-Gur among other delicacies to their hearts content.
The cultural programs started with the singing of "Srimoyee Axomir Xitol Bukut Uthe". That started a delighful sequence of one foot tapping and melodious item after another. A chorus "Mure Jibonore Xokha Krishna", Kids Bihu dance, Kids group song "Bonoriya Aami Bonor Sorai", Bollywood dance numbers, solo songs and Piano recitals kept the audience enthralled and asking for more
It was clearly evident that the people got transported to the Bihutolis of Assam and all the memories of those magical evenings came flooding by. A few lusty hits on the dhol announced that the Husori party had arrived and the experience got elevated a few levels as the sound of flute, taal, toka and dhol reverbarated the air. The ladies joined the Husori group and sung some beautiful Bihu songs and the crowd could wait no longer as they joined the Mukoli Bihu and danced away as Zubeen's "Boroline-Aspoline" played in the background. A wonderfully laid out dinner, including Masor-Tenga was waiting for the gathering and it was time sit together, enjoy the food and chat. The devoted few could not resist the tamul-paan at the end of the dinner. A photo exhibition titled "Axom Amar Rupahi" displayed some images of the rich cultural heritage and the village life in Assam. As the evening came to an end, the crowd left with some wonderful memories and the knowledge that their bond with their motherland was strengthened, friendships renewed and new ones made and a promise to come together again and celebrate the "hridoyor enajori" that unite us all.
