GUWAHATI, May 18 � The Assamese people residing in Kolkata under the aegis of Kolkata Assamese Cultural Association (KACA) celebrated the �Bohagi Utsav� at Sisir Mancha near Rabindra Sadan.
Atul Bharali, president of the association unfurled the Bihu flag and marked the opening of the celebration amidst distribution of �Ladu and Pitha.�
The festivities started with a �Mukoli Bihu� where all the Assamese and local Bengali people participated with much gaiety.
The stage programme commenced with the ceremonial lamp lighting by litterateur Dr Ram Kumar Mukherjee, Bengali translator of the biography of Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Himanshu Chatterjee, renowned artiste Rongili Biswas and Tamal Kanti Ghosh.
The chief guest of the cultural function was Jnanpith awardee, recipient of the first Mamoni Raisom Goswami literature award, Padma Bibhushan Dr Mahasweta Devi, stated Dr Gitanjali Goswami in a press statement.
During the course of the programme, �Sristi� � the annual magazine of KACA was inaugurated with much fanfare. The packed house gathering was treated to an enthralling Jeng Bihu dance by the local Assamese ladies and an equally captivating Dhol performance by Mumbai based artiste Ankita Boruah.
A skit composed and directed by Kamal Sarma had brought the crowd in splits.
Well-known local artiste Parveen Sultana sang a Pratima Pandey composed Goalparia folk song receiving critical acclaim.
Subsequently Roshni Saha, Shrabanika Changmai and Sharmin Rehman Sultana crooned their way into the audience�s hearts with their enchanting performances.
President Atul Bharali took the recourse of a song of Dr Bhupen Hazarika to highlight that nothing much has been done till now to preserve the Assamese culture and creations here.
He expressed regret at the unavailability of a dedicated hall for local Assamese residents for conducting meetings and various cultural activities. Later he stressed on the vibrant cultural relationship of Bengal and Assam and announced a two-day function of Sattriya dance and �Bhaona� in the month of September to commemorate the birth anniversary of Srimanta Sankaradeva.
Notwithstanding the hot and sultry weather of Kolkata, the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by the full packed audience.
