GUWAHATI, April 27 � The Assamese residents of Delhi ushered in Assamese New Year recently under the aegis of Assam Association, Delhi by celebrating Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu with much fanfare and fervour, a press release stated.
A cultural function was organised on April 22 at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi. The function was attended by a large number of Assamese people who are residents of Delhi, including a strong force of Assamese students scattered all over Delhi with invited dignitaries and guests like Sekhar Gupta, Editor-in-Chief of Indian Express and Rama Kanta Goswami, Minister for Industries, Law and Justice, Government of Delhi, who spoke of their association with Assamese people while wishing a very happy Rongali Bihu to all present in the function.
They also appreciated the efforts of the Assam Association, Delhi for arranging a function and also for giving them an opportunity to share the joy with the huge gathering.
Prominent faces of Assam residing in Delhi like Hari Shankar Brahma, the Election Commissioner of India and Samarendra Narayan Brahmachaudhary, adviser, Planning Commission of India along with Dr Nagen Saikia, former president of the Asam Sahitya Sabha were felicitated by offering gamosa.
Dr Mukundakam Sharma, president of Assam Association, Delhi welcomed the guests and all those present there. He emphasised on the relevance and importance of Rongali Bihu in the Assamese society. He also spoke and highlighted the role of the nature in the celebration of Bihu.
During the cultural function, tributes were paid to Dr Bhupen Hazarika, the internationally renowned singer and an icon of Assam and to commemorate his memory, his famous song Booku Ham Ham Kare was sung by Arup Bhagawati in both Assamese and Hindi. Tributes were also paid to Dr Mamoni Roisom Goswami, the famous Jnanpith award winner by reciting her poem dedicated to Dr Bhupen Hazarika, which was recited by Indrajit Das.
These were followed by hussori and Bihu presented by the members of Assam Association and children. The audience also highly applauded the Bihu dance performed by Irani Sonowal, who was adjudged as the best bihuwoti for the year. Beautiful Bihu songs and dance was also presented by a Bihu group sent by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam which was highly appreciated as it represented the roots.
The highlights of the evening were the Bihu songs presented by the renowned and nationally acclaimed singer Khagen Gogoi and also by Trishna Devi. They enthralled the audience so much that towards the end of their songs rendering the audience joined them by participating in sort of a Mukoli Bihu (open Bihu dance), the release added.
