Rongali Bihu 2020 Images:Description

Introduction of Rongali Bihu

                                

Friends I am not much of a writer but still have tried to highlight the most festival of Assam and well this is my first blog so guys need your support kindly let me know through your feedbacks.

Bihu, the most important festival that is celebrated in Assam which is celebrated for commencement of harvesting season. The people of Assam celebrates Bihu thrice in a year which symbolizes three distinct phases in cultivation of paddy, the native crop of Assam. But Bohaag Bihu or Rongali Bihu is distinctively the most important among all the Bihus, and is celebrated in the month of Bohaag that marks the first day of Assamese New Year. It is also observed in Bengal, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu although by different names like Pongal in South India, Baisakhi in North India. As it marks the advent of Assamese New Year and is therefore, marked with immense zeal and merriment. The name Rongali is derived from the word “Rong”, which means happiness and celebration. The festival also marks the beginning of spring season, when the nature adorns itself beautifully with flowers and blossoms, adding to the happiness of the festival. Therefore, it is known as Rongaali Bihu or the festival of merriment. Delicacies like pitha, laru, jolpan (traditional food made predominantly with rice) are prepared by assamese women. As Rongali Bihu is a time of merriment and feasting it continues for seven days, in general but mainly it is celebrated for three days.

               

The first day of the Rongali Bihu is the Goru or Cow Bihu, wherein the cattle of the villages is bought to a single water source and thoroughly washed and cleaned with the help of turmeric and black gram paste. The cattle are also struck with sprigs of dighalati and makhiyati and endeared to be healthy and productive. This day falls on the last day of the previous year, usually on April 14. They are offered a garland made of Tangolti leaves and a fire is made in their shed to ensure the flies and the insects do not disturb them. They are offered a special food item known as ‘Bor Pitha’ made from rice and jaggery. The rationale behind the worshiping of cows is very simple as they are the greatest assets of a farmer because not only do they produce milk but also help in ploughing fields, transport men, crop and so on.

 

The second Day of the Rongali Bihu is Manuh Bihu, people clean their homes and have a traditional bath using turmeric. They wear traditional clothes and visit their relatives and seek blessings from the elders. Gifts are exchanged during this occasion and almost every family offers the elders a Bihuwan or the Gamusa cloth as a symbol of respect. Other items that are gifted includes the Assamese attires like dhoti, Chelang, Riha and Mekhela. Sweets and Special Dishes of flattened rice, curds and jaggery are prepared and eaten.

 

The third day of Rongali Bihu is dedicated for the Gods and that day is known as Gosai (God) Bihu. On this day people worship their household Gods and traditional songs or Prayers are sung in their praise seeking protection and blessings for a good harvest.

Traditionally, Bihu is celebrated with folk dance and songs which are symbolic of communication of love and romance. Small groups of musicians and dancers accompanied by traditional musical instruments like the Dhol, Toka, Pepa, etc visit households and perform bihu dance which is commonly known as “Bihu Husori”. Young boys and girls also make special arrangements or get-togethers in opens fields singing folk songs associated with “Bohag Bihu”. They also perform in bihu dances and bihu geets accompaniment of dhol, toka, pepa and bahi etc those gatherings are called Mukoli Bihu or Open Bihu. Now-a-days cultural programs are also held based on Bihu dances and songs, accompanied by traditional musical instruments.

Well speaking about dance forms of Rongali Bihu there are three popular bihu dance forms- Husori, Mukoli Bihu and Jeng Bihu.

 

Husori- Village elders or even the young ones move from household to household singing bihu geet, called husoris. It is like a band comprising of both men and women with traditional musical instrument like dhol, toka and pepa etc. First of all the husori singers’ visits individuals’ households, by first announcing their arrival at the gate or poduli with the beats of the dhol. The singers are traditionally welcomed to the courtyard whre they sings husori songs and perform. At the end of the performance they are offered tamul- paan betel nut and leaf in a xorai as a sign of thanks giving wherein the singers bless the household for the coming year.

Mukoli Bihu- Young men and women gather in open fields attired in traditional assamese clothing i.e golden silk muga performs in bihu songs and dance which depicts the word “Mukoli Bihu” or “open Bihu”.

Jeng Bihu- This form of Bihu dance is only performed and watched by women only. The Jeng Bihu is named after the fact those in earlier day’s women in the villages used to surround the place of their performance with stick dug into the ground called in Assamese.

Conclusion

                                      

As Rongaali Bihu reflects the arrival of spring season and the rich culture of Assamese society it is celebrated over several days and is a period of great fun and enjoyment. Rongali Bihu involves various indigenous Assamese musical instruments like dhol, pepa, gogona, toka and taal etc. Rongali Boihu also involves various Assamese traditional delicacies like pitha, laru etc. The colourful attire of Assamese culture like Bihuwan or Gamusa, Mekhela  Sador is also reflected in Rongaali Bihu.

Rongali Bihu is a non-religious and secular festival, and everyone, irrespective of religion, caste and creed celebrates this occasion with joy and merriment.

                             

But in the cities the celebration of Rongali Bihu had shrunked to a great extent. Mukoli Bihus are no longer common any more. There are Bihu Committees or Clubs which organizes Bihu functions or festival in a very organized way where in professional and amateurs performs. Various competitions are also organized wherein both men and women compete either in groups or solo for the best dancer title. But in reality, its only in the rural areas where we can find the originality of Rongali Or Bohag Bihu.