State ready for Bihu festivities

JORHAT: With only a few days left for Rongali Bihu, the people of Assam are gearing up to celebrate the festival with gaiety and fervour. Preparations are in full swing in every nook and corner here to celebrate one of Assam's biggest festivals that mark the New Year in the Assamese calendar.
"We are all looking forward to celebrate Rongali Bihu at the historic Ranghar Bakori on April 14.We are planning to demonstrate the various culture and traditions of the various ethnic tribes of the state here on the occasion of Rongali Bihu," Aswini Chetia, organizer of Brihattar Rongpur Rongali Bihu Sanmilan and advisor of All Tai Ahom Students' Union said.
He added, "We are attempting to spread the message of the Ahom rulers, that is, unity in diversity this Bihu. Our day-long programme will start with a cultural procession from the historic Talatolghor to Rongghor. An exhibition showcasing the different cultures of tribes like Mishing, Kachari, Nepali, Naga, Arunachali, Golaporia, Nolboria will be held. Tai research scholar Puspa Gogoi, artists Nipon Goswami and Bishnu Kharghoria are also scheduled to participate in the exhibition," he said, adding that in Sivasagar, about 10 bihu sanmilans in the town and about 80 in other parts of the district are being organized by various organizing committees.
Monjit Changmy, president of North-west Jorhat bihu sanmilan, said, "We have organized a two-day programme from April 28. We are organizing various bihu-related competitions like Bihu Kunwari on the occasion of Rongali bihu. We have invited more than 10 selected husori teams from across the state to demonstrate bihu dance in our programme."
The president of the 33 year bihu organizing committee added, "In Jorhat, over 100 bihu sanmilans, including the Central Jorhat Bihu Sanmilan, Kenduguri Bihu Sanmilan, Gormur Bihu Sanmilan have been organized."
Babul Bora, director of Soraighat bihu team of Jorhat said the group will demonstrate their dances in about 30 pandals this year. "A team comprising 10 girls and 14 boys are practicing for the dance programmes," he said adding that the group has been participating in dance programmes held all over the country for 12 years now.
In Golaghat too, about 80 bihu sanmilans are being organized. Ajoy Bhalari, an organizer of Brihattor Golaghat Bihu Sanmilan said they have organized a three-day programme from April 15 for Rongali bihu.
"Our three-day programme will have bihu dance, bihu and other folk song competition, sports and a traditional dress competition. An interaction and a cultural function is also being organized where artists from Manipur and Nagaland will participate," he said.