Sydney Rongali Bihu (2008)

[mygal=sydney2008] 

Rongali Bihu Xondhiya is undoubtedly the most awaited event of the year for the Assamese community living in Australia. This year we celebrated Rongali Bihu on the 12th April in Sydney. A beautifully decorated “Bihutoli” welcomed all the Assamese and their friends for a fun filled evening. Bihu celebrations commenced with the chorus - “Shreemoyee Axomeer Xeetal Bukut Uthe”. Sanjib Choudhury welcomed the audience for the evening and took time to explain the significance of Bihu to the young generation as well as our friends from different communities of India. The next event of the evening showcased “Costumes of the North-east of India”. The beautiful ladies walked the ramp displaying costumes of Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland and Assam. The exotic display of Muga and Pat Mekhela Chador was very much appreciated by the audience. Stealing the thunder of the fashion show was the “Oxomia Koina” displaying of the Bridal wear of Assam.

The enthusiasm of the children participating in the “Okonir Mel” segment was very much evident. They thrilled the audience with the chorus “O mor Aponar dex” and their dance performance to the melodious number “Axomeere Sotalote”. The Children Bihu was also very well appreciated by the Audience. The kids have also displayed talent outside of the Bihu evenings, a well choreographed Tap dance, and a guitar performance by two upcoming talents highlighted the “Okonir Mel”.

Each year we try and introduce a unique element into the Bihu evening. This year it was the songs and a dance based on the six seasons of Assam (Grishmo, Borokha, Xorot, Hemanta, Xeet, Boxonta) presented to epitomise the beauty of Mother Nature and the essence of the seasons. Besides, there were hosts of individual and group performances of songs and dances in Assamese and Hindi. The Goanese dance by the ladies gave a glimpse of the love of the Goan Fishermen and women for their loved ones. The use of “Japi” and “Kanhor thal” in the Bihu dance also performed by the ladies captivated the attention of the audience. This year the need was felt for an even bigger auditorium as it was marked by maximum attendance ever in Sydney Bihu including non-Assamese friends and families turning out to make it a grand success.

Finally, it was the long awaited Husori that took everyone to the reminiscences of our motherland - Axom. The synchronised beat of the Dhol and Taal and the Bihu naam filled the air with energy and euphoria. The splendidly choreographed Bihu dance and the spinning by 10 ‘nasonees’ (female dancers) to the Bihu song “naas nasoni uri uri, naas nasoni ghuri ghuri” sung and surrounded by more than half dozen  ‘Bihuwas’ (male dancers) had led the audience to rise up from the chairs and dance along. The Husori continued to culminating in Mukoli Bihu wherein everyone present joins in to sing and dance to their heart’s content. The Bihu Xondhiya concluded with a dinner coupled with a promise and a commitment in everyone’s heart to keep it alive forever.

By Bhaskar Chetia, Sydney, Australia