AANA - Bihu 2012

-by Dr. Debabrata Sarma

Back to back for two years in a row, North West folks got the gorgeous sunny day to celebrate Bohag Bihu in the Seattle area on April 14, 2012, which definitely is a rare phenomenon around here in April. The day started on a well decorated big stage with Jetuka President, Joydeep Buragohain, presenting the agenda of the day and then invited Dr. Debabrata Sarma to light the lamp and inaugurate the event with a welcome speech. The cultural event started right after, compered by Dr. Dwipen Bhagawati. The first item was a chorus written by Ambika Giri Roychoudhury, “Aaji bondooki sonde ...” The participants were, Mridul Gogoi on Keyboard, Amlan Chakravarti on Tabla. The singers were, Minakshi Bhagawati, Ruby Deka, Jonali Gogoi, Priyanka Bora, Rinki Sengupta, Jubi Barua, Ranjan Barua, Saranga Goswami , Dwipen Bhagawati, Rubul Das, Trideev Gogoi , Angshuman Bezbarua and Bhaskar Deka. The next item was the most anticipated ladies’ Bihu dance, which was very well choreographed and excellently executed by the Seattle ladies.
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The participants were Julie Buragohain, Gitashri Goswami , Manashi Das, Priyanka Borah, Rubi Deka and Jonali Gogoi. The children program started with a humorous Osomiya folklore recitation, “Baahor moorah ...” by Rishika all from her memory. Ananya (Barbi) did an excellent Odissi dance number displaying each mudra with meticulous care and concentration. Riya and Lana nicely synched in tandem to entertain the crowd with a nice Bihu dance. This was followed by keyboard recitals, first by Sachetan and next by Rishi. Niribili followed with a flute recital of two songs, one being, “O’ mour aapoonar desh ...”

- Reported by Binapani Sarmah & Photographs by Arabinda Hazarika Borah

Assam's most significant and admired festival, Rongali Bihu which heralds the Assamese New Year, was celebrated by Assamese Community in the Northeast United States with pomp and gaiety. A generous crowd gathered to celebrate the spirit of Rongali Bihu in the Linwood Middle School, North Brunswick, New Jersey on April 14th 2012. The bihu was celebrated with lots of fun and fanfare.

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The cultural program in this year’s bihu was dedicated to Assam's cultural icon and Sudhakantha Late Bhupen Hazarika, who passed away in November, 2011. The day proceeded with traditional and some nontraditional snacks consisting of chira-dai, pitha, laru, sweets, chole, samosa, donuts, etc. The celebration was inaugurated by hoisting the “Bihuwan” to the tune of “Sreemoyi Axomir.” The children and adults alike passionately enjoyed various games like musical chair, kooni jooj, etc. Rongali Bihu provides a platform to the talented young and adults of this area to showcase their talents and activities in diverse fields, such as musical performances, and art and essay competitions. Not surprisingly, the highlight of the festival was the varied cultural programs which included playing musical instruments, singing and dancing.

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A Naagara Naam added a unique element of Assamese heritage to the cultural program. Additionally, an Assamese heritage and culture trivia was presented throughout the evening, which definitely enhanced the spirit of the audience.