BIHU - ART AND CULTURE

News: PM Modi gets into Bihu mood after world record show 

 

What's in the news?

       Exactly 24 hours after creating two world records, more than 11,200 Bihu performers did an embellished encore.

       The first record created was for "the largest Bihu performance at a single venue" by 11,298 performers.

       The second was for the largest dhol recital by 3,000 drummers at the same venue.

 

Bihu:

       Bihu is a popular Assamese dance that is done by both men and women in groups.

       Bihu is also used to refer to Bihu dance, also known as Bihu Naas, and Bihu folk music, also known as Bihu Geet.

       Group formations, fast hand movements, and brisk footsteps are all part of the dancing performance.

       It has long played an important role in the culture of Assam's many ethnic groups, including the Kaivarttas, Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Chutias, Boros, Misings, Rabhas, Moran, and Borahis, among others.

 

Traces of Bihu in history:

       The earliest depictions of Bihu dance can be discovered in Assam's Tezpur and Darrang regions, dating from the 9th century.

       Bihu has also been referenced in the 14th century Chutia King Lakshminaryan's inscriptions.

       The Bihu dance gets its name from Assam's national event, the Bohag Bihu festival (also known as Rongali Bihu), which commemorates the Assamese New Year.

 

Rongali Bihu:

       Rongali or Bohag Bihu is the Assamese new year and spring festival. The Rongali Bihu coincides with Sikh New Year- Baisakhi.

       The Bohag Bihu dates are April 13 to April 21. It is a harvest or sowing festival. It marks the first day of the Hindu solar calendar.

       Festive food - pitha (rice cake) and larus (traditional food made of rice, coconut) are prepared.

 

 

 

Kongali Bihu:

       The Kongali Bihu, also known as the Kati Bihu, is a sombre, thrifty event that commemorates a season of scarcity observed in October

Bhogali or Magh Bihu observed in January.