GUWAHATI, April 3 � Though nature has revealed herself in her best of springtime glory, the mood of the season is yet to prevail in the capital city.
Usually around this time of the year the springtime enthusiasm is quite obvious as snatches of the latest Bihu songs comes floating from the music stores, citizens start planning for the festival of Bohag Bihu and the artistes get ready for their forthcoming programmes. But not this time.
It is totally a different kind of passion that has swept the gateway to the North East. With the State getting ready for the Assembly elections to be held in two phases on April 4 and 11, everyone seems focused on the ensuing polls. Banners, cut-outs, festoons, etc of different political parties have surely hidden the vibrant colours of spring.
And this situation has affected business that used to be brisk during this season. �Unlike in the previous year, the sale of Bihu CDs are yet to pick up. It is because of the elections. But I am optimistic that within a week or two, my business will soar,� said Mintu Das, owner of a music store.
Even folk artistes who are flooded with invitations for performing at different Bihutolis across the State at this time are waiting for the elections to get over. Renowned folk artiste Somnath Bora who has enthralled international audience by creating magic on the dhol, said that the Assembly elections has cast a dampener on the artistes.
�I must admit that we artistes are receiving very few invitations to perform so far when compared to last year. I think after the elections are over, invitations will start pouring in,� said Bora, adding that unlike in the previous years, there have been less of Bihu workshops this time.
�Because of the elections, we did not get permission for all the Bihu workshops we had planned,� said Bora. It needs to be mentioned here that Bora has been invited to perform in Dubai this festive season.