Rongali bihu - Missing Asom

Asom is a place of festivities and the very colorful Rongali bihu or the Bohag Bihu is the most popular. Commemorating the onset of the Axomia New Year, Rongali bihu is called as such because it brings in colour into every one's lives. Celebrated in the month of Bohag or April, marking the onset of Spring! Nature is at its best this time of the year.

"Xewaali phool xorotor.. 

Bohaag maahor duporor 

Protitu dhulor saaapore.. 

monot pelaai kotha atitor.."

The merriment and feasting starts and continues for full seven days! However the delirium starts from March itself. People buy new clothes, prepare pitha, larus, jolpan, xandoh giving real festive essence to the season! This is the time when farmers plough the land for cultivation. And there is a general sense of joy around.

"Axomor suke kune..

Dhul pepai gorojile..."

The various associations starts the Bihu functions. There is a popular sense of gaiety in every neighborhood! The sounds of dhul, Pepa, gogona fills the air of Asom with happiness! The very charismatic Axomia ladies perform bihu Dance. No one can really control their feet once the beats of Bihu start! Such mesmerizing effect it has on the people, not only Axomia but everyone!

The very beautiful Rhynchostylis retusa or Kopou phool as we call it in Asom, blooms in it's full! The ladies use this as an adornment for their hair while performing bihu dance. It's one exotic flower! 

Starting with Goru Bihu, which is giving cattle bath and worshipping them so that they grow hale and hearty every year. This typically is performed since they are used in ploughing the land. The next day is the Manuh bihu, wherein people wear new clothes, the younger ones touch the elders feet and seek blessings. The mouth watering food follows and obviously the dance and fun! The third day is called the gokhai bihu meant for the Gods. This typically involves offering prayers to the diety and seeking their blessings for a wonderful year.

The evenings mean the pandal hopping in different bihu grounds. The sounds of the dhul, pepa , gogona invites everyone to be a part of the show. Oh! I so miss it. Having writing this article sitting in my bedroom, in Bangalore, I realise how much I miss my Asom! I miss the whole conviviality. I miss the dance, the pitha and larus! Maybe that's the pain we need to bear when we move out for work, move to make a living​. For a better life, there's always a price to pay! 

Anyways since bihu it is, I can at least treat myself to new dresses and try making some sweets myself, hence satisfying my taste buds too! 

"Otikoi senehor mugare mohua

Tatukoi senehor maak o

Tatukoi senehor bohagi bihu ti

Napati kenekoi thaku....."