The Texas Assamese community celebrated this
year’s Rongali Bihu in Sugar Land, TX on
Saturday, April 10th, 2004. Geetanjali
Hazarika did a wonderful job in organizing the
event. More than 80 people from Houston,
Austin, Dallas and Louisiana attended the daylong
event. The day started with flag hoisting
ceremony and the song ‘Sri Moyee Asomir…’
followed by Easter egg hunt by the children.
Various sporting events were organized that
included one-mile race, tug-of-war, egg-toss,
musical chair, and three legged race - enjoyed by
all, young and old. Host ladies prepared a perfect
setting for Bihu with tables full of goodies like
maah prosaad, sira doi gur jolpan, ghilapitha,
narikolor laroo, tilor laroo, besanor barfi, sanar
barfi, and a table full of standard snacks.
During the Rongali Bihu get together, by
tradition, Texas community recognizes individual
(s) who have made a difference in the community
through their contribution in any which way they
can. This year’s recipients were Dil Deka for her
contribution to the community and promoting
Assamese literature and culture; and Indrany
Datta-Barua for her cultural contribution to the
Princeton University, which she attends, where
she is the founder of an organization named
“Kala” and a Juggling group. A posthumous
recognition was done of Geeta Deka’s
contribution to the community. Benita Mahanta
was recognized for completion of her
undergraduate program at the University of Texas
at Austin.
The evening’s program started with a perfect
setting for Rongali Bihu when Bordoi Sila
preceded the function, a perfect storm! Dil Deka
opened the literary session of the evening and
Rajen Barua gave a presentation on the topic of
Bihu - its journey from the origin to the present
and its significance. That was followed by dinner,
which included patot diya maas, khorisa, and
kharoli and to top it all masor tenga! The daylong
event was wrapped up by the evening’s cultural
program – in which many talented people – young
and old - participated. The Houston community
would like to extend their sincere thanks to all
who came to attend – some at the last minute - to
make it a great success!
More pictures: http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/mhazarika
Contributed by Mano Hazarika
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