BIHU - ART & CULTURE

News: Bihu Dance Workshop in Guwahati gears up for Rongali Bihu celebrations

 

What's in the news?

       Along with the rest of the state, the people of Guwahati are also busy preparing for Rongali Bihu – the festival of joy and prosperity.

 

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.