Assam Association, Delhi celebrated Rongali Bihu Festival on 21st April, at Samaj Sadan, Laxmibai Nagar, New Delhi 110023 in the presence of a huge audience of about 900 in traditional fervour. The attendance was large by Delhi standard, despite being celebrated on a working day. The function started with the felicitation of the Chief Guest Shri Tarun Chandra Gogoi, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. B B Bhattacharjee, Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Unibversity and Shri Ajit Kumar Hazarika, Director (Onshore), ONGC and lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the Hon'ble guests. The function succeeded with the release of the "Samayik"- the magazine of the association by Dr. Hemeswar Dihingia, the septuagenarian writer. The magazine is edited by Smt. Protima Thakuria and cover design was tastefully done in Bihu motif by Ms. Priyanka Das. The magazine has a mix of writings, experience sharing, poems, news, and other variety articles by established and amateur writers.
The Choir of the association presented a "quorus"- "Xurore Deulore Rupore Xhiloki Bhangi Chingi dili Pujari O.." By Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha as a tribute to Bhupenda, who is recuperating. Therafter a huchori was presented by the 'Kirtan Sangha'. Youngest girls of the association rendered a bihu to show the continuum of the great cultural heritage. Among others artists Dwipen Lahkar, Robin Kalita, Doli Das, Murchana Borkakti, Devina Saikia, rendered solo Bihu songs. Ms. Ayushika Barman presented a creative dance on the song by Pulak Banerjee- 'Phulore Melate.. Ms. Rimjhim and Jhilmil Pathak performed a bihu dance to treat the crowd.
The main attraction was an assemblage of an orchestra by artists Hemanta Saikia, Dr. Jeet Patwari, Pranab Sangam, Nabin. They accompanied all the artists and provided the required musical mix. Finally main bihu was performed by the youth team of the association, who came from different parts of Delhi and NCR. After the bihu "mukoli bihu' – the free for all bihu went on by another one hour, where everyone tried their vocal chords and gyratitc skills. A simple yet decent dinner was served at the end of the function. Rongali Bihu celebrated by the association has attained a central character and is an important day in the calendar of the Assamese folks here. In recent bihu is beign celebrated in different pockets on the actual bihu day. This year there were reports of bihu celebrations at Assam Bhawan, Chanakyapuri; Pragjyotishpur Apartments, Shalimar bagh, Rohini, Gurgaon, Faridabad etc.
The central bihu "Notun Dilli Rongali Bihu Sanmiloni" is held about a week after the bihu day.
By Manoj Kumar Das, New delhi
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