London’s recent annual Rongali Bihu saw a record number of attendants with the majority of new comers from the younger generation.
Almost 200 adults and scores of children from across the United Kingdom descended on North London to celebrate the Assamese new year.
Guests of the London Bihu commitee, which organised the event, were greeted with jalpan, such as siradoy, pitah and laroo, as they arrived at the St Andrews Church Hall, where artists from Britain and India held a cultural festival.
Dr Jiten Borkakoti, the president of the London committee, used his welcoming speech to call for the younger generation to use Bihu as an opportunity to learn about Assamese culture and to get to know their fellow brethren.
“We, as the first generation in the UK, are now getting old and want to know that when we are gone our children and new Assamese that have come to the country are there to support each other,” explained Dr Borkakoti. “That’s why we would urge you to start using Bihu as a chance to network with follow Assamese in your generation and to learn about your heritage.”
The latter was already taking place with young girl Anya Das exhibiting her talents as an Indian dancer and teenager Reema Kakati performing the Kathak.
The young local talent was counter-balanced with the enchanting classical voice of Assamese guest artist Mandira Lahiri, from Kolkata, who was accompanied by tablist Rajkumar Misra.
The informal and relaxed atmosphere set the right conditions for the younger generation to mingle, leading to some taking their newly formed friendships to local pub The Wishing Well to cement their relationships away from the prying eyes of their parents.
But as the evening turned to night, the absconded young adults were back for Bihu Bhoj, a typical Assamese feast, followed by a general Bihu dance to work off those calories.
Again the increased inclusion of the younger generation was clear, with many on the dancefloor with their elders.
As the dancing continued, one young adult, who wished not to be named, said: “This Bihu and similar Assamese events have been key in ensuring that we, as second generation Assamese, stay in touch and remember our roots.”
“The message to us is clear, with so few Assamese in the UK, all from the motherland are a family within the UK and so we should always be there for each other.”
By Nina Goswami, a second generation Assamese in London. Nina is a lawyer and a former Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Times journalist, now a reporter for a legal magazine here in London. The piece is about London Bihu which took place in May 6th 2007|
By Nina Goswami
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