Great Entertainment at Assam 2008

The yearly NRI Assamese get together, Assam2008 of North America, was held again this year during the 4th of July weekend.  This yearly event is a part of the on-going effort to bring together the scattered Assamese community in North America for a celebration of Assamese heritage and culture.  As always, there was good fellowship, fun filled activities, cultural programs, special workshops, special presentations, and of course, lots of good food catered, and home baked.  

Assam2008 was almost a three-day event.  The first day, July 3rd, started with a reception, registration, and then a group dinner at a very nice restaurant where people could chat and socialize.  The evening would have ended with dance to DJ Music, however, due to a tragedy in one of the families, this event was cancelled for the night.

July 4th and 5th were filled with many activities, including options for families to go on site seeing tours of nearby Valley Forge National Historical Park and Longwood Botanical Gardens during morning and early afternoon.  
Our guest artist for the event was well-known Ms. Tarali Sarma, the only Assamese National Film Award winner for Best Female Playback Singer, for the film Akashi Torar Kothare in 2004.  She is a regular performing artist of All India Radio and Dooradarshan. She is a singer, composer and director, and a philanthropist.  Tarali not only performed on both days, but she also participated with our local talented artist Sankumani Sarma in a duet and played the harmonium in another song.  She simply got everyone involved in singing and dancing on both days.  Everyone had a blast having a good time; everyone enjoyed her down-to-earth personality.  We wish the best to Ms. Tarali Sarma and her family.  Folks also bought Tarali’s latest CD like hot cake.
 
In addition to our guest artist, there were plenty of other very talented artists who performed in many different cultural items from flute recital, karate, Satriya dance, Assamese modern dance, Bihu dances, Husori,  Hindi songs, Gazals, of course, a lot of Assamese songs, Bihu songs, Boro dances,  too many to mention here.  Thanks to all the talented local artists, without whose support and participation, we could not hold these events.  The cultural show on the 4th started with a chorus, specially composed for the event.  Thanks to Mrs. Anuja Bala Devi of Guwahati for the composition.  Music was given by her son, our own very talented Mr. Sankumani Sarma.  Thank you Sankumani!
 
Some of the other highlights of the event were a workshop on CPR and Heimlich maneuver, something everyone should know about.  Thanks to Dr. Nirode Das for this workshop, where many received hands-on training. FASS, Friends of Assam and Seven Sisters, USA representative Mr. Rajen Barua gave a very informative presentation on FASS and on the myriads of much needed projects the group is working on.  He also showed the first ever Assamese audio-video show of a folk tale for   children by Ankur Bora.  Last but not the least, he released packets of cards created by the project “Learn Assamese with Flash Card”, which sold very well.
 
The end results?  Everyone had a great time; on one wanted to leave the hotel the day after the event.  So, we are looking forward to our next years get together.  Hopefully, somehow, we can combine the two events held always on the same days, but in different locations! If we can’t combine them, this group will hold the next Assam2009 in Colorado as announced in Assam2008!
 
By Dhruba Das, Pennsylvania, USA