- By Geeti Das
The Assamese community of Minnesota experienced one of its best Urukar Xomohiya Bhoj on 21st January, 2012 at Somesh and Minti’s residence in Shakopee, MN. This year’s Magh Bihu was indeed special as we took the opportunity to celebrate Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s life that Uruka evening. I would like to start here by sharing a few lines from the Bihur Ayujon/Invitation email from our cordial hosts that says:
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"Bohaagote amaare aai mohura hoi ghure… Maghot xunor haatere lakhimi adore." "Etiya amar dexot, Lakhimi adora'r xomoi.... Etiya bondhuwe bondhu'k Maihang Dhanor xuwad pani jasa'r xomoi." "Bojali je Pepa ti, Bojali je Pepa ti Xurere xojali dekhu Mississippi'r nixati." |
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A beautiful, striking portrait of Bhupenda came all the way from Assam (a gift of warmth, sent by Prantor’s parents, Dolly and Progoti Bora), right in time to pay our tributes. Finally, as the evening arrived, families gathered with colorful mekhala sadors and kurtas, and kids running around in their best traditional outfits too. The dining area was quickly getting filled with pitha, laroo, doi-sira, and dozen other appetizers, and oven set to warm with all homemade delicacies getting stacked for the dinner menu.
Kids had an ear to ear smile all evening…
Around 7:30pm, Ankita graciously anchored the Shradhanjali evening which started with Bonti Projwolon, followed by the opening chorus „Manuhe Manuhor Ba‟be‟ sung by all. Little Devarsh and Sangeet (in the photo above) sang ‘Moi Eti Jajabor ‘and ‘Manuhe Manuhor Ba„be‟. Somesh spoke a few lines on Bhupenda’s musical ingenuity and how we should be spreading his eternal voice across generations. Pankaj, Anjan, Reza, Sabina, Bijan and I shared a few personal experiences, all of mixed taste, some sweet and inspiring, some filled with fun and humor. Aruni Kashyap, a new student at the University of Minnesota, impressed us all by singing ‘Bimurti Mur Nixati.‟ Sabina recited the ‘Manuhe Manuhor Ba‟be‟ translated in English by her brother-in-law, NF Haque. It was amazing to see six-year-old music master, Sangeet singing ‘Bristino Parore‟ and playing it in the piano too.
The whole place in front of Bhupenda‟s portrait seemed to have a warm golden glow…
The actual fun began when the guys started to energize up by singing Bhupenda’s all-time hits, accompanied by guitarist, Saroj. As they were singing so whole-heartedly and flipping page after page of Bhupenda’s song collection books, the ladies started to worry that we may not even get a chance to sing. Finally we took over the mikes, and sang to our heart’s content, which of course sounded much sweeter when accompanied by Minti’s melodious voice.
From "Aah Aah Ulai Aah‟ to „Shillongore Monalisa Lihingdou‟…
no one wanted the evening to end…
Ankita conducted a debate for the young kids (between 10 - 12 years) with the topic: “Does Bhupen Hazarika deserve better recognition”. Hats off to our future debaters (Riyah, Ashmita, Nibir and Aayan) for being able to turn on the attention of the entire audience by delivering some very strong facts with confidence and great debating skills. Somesh concluded the Shardhanjali evening by reciting (Amor Jyoti Choudhury’s poem) „Eta Gaan Xesh Hol‟, and I bet, nobody amongst us could have done it better than Somesh.
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We couldn‟t have been happier and (more nostalgic) |
Finally, the oven timers went off, and the long awaited feast was minutes away. The highlight of the bhoj was hot delicious food served on Kolpaat, and nice arrangements were made to sit down on the floor. An unending array of dishes, one after the other (starting from Kaath Aloo Fry to Hahor Manxso) served warmly by the guys in the perfect Axomiya style added to our taste. Our newest member of the community is two months old baby Arjun (son of Rashmi and Arun Choudhury) who sure will be a Bhogali baby to have joined us for his maiden visit on this community feast.
Whether Bohag or Magh, Bihu is incomplete without some Husori and Aaxirbaad. With our MN Husori dol, we are fortunate enough to get a flavor of our Bihu Botor as we desire, and not having to wait until April is promising. Our final closing for the evening was completed by a community photo session by our official photographer, Gautam Deori who captures every event with great passion and quality, letting us treasure and record every moment for the future.
On our drive back home, six-year old, Nimisha asked me, “Mommy, where is Bhupenda now?” I gave her my best answer. Then I asked Nimisha, if she could tell me about Bhupenda in just one line, and I got my best answer too. She instantly replied, “Bhupenda is a man who makes Indian songs.” First I thought, I should correct her to Assamese songs. Then I realized she‟s right because Bhupenda sang for Assam, India and for the entire World sharing the same universal meaning.
Truly, what could have been a more perfect Uruka? We gave every touch of authenticity to the feast. The only thing missing was our Meji. In the near future, if we are blessed like this year’s mild winter, I am sure our enthusiast souls will build a Meji to teach our children the true Magh Bihu tradition and spirits.
