DOOMDOOMA, April 12 - Rongali Bihu will be celebrated from tomorrow across the State. But, this time the COVID-19 pandemic has marred all the merriment and joy of the festival. Considering the situation, people here will observe only the rituals at their residences within the family instead of going out for any big events. The Bihu celebration committees here have cancelled all their programmes.
Not only in the urban areas, but in the rural areas of Doomdooma circle also, there is no enthusiasm for Bihu celebration at all. The common scenes of weaving traditional Assamese gamosa by the women in the rural areas are totally absent this time. The sound of dheki is also missing in the most of the places.
Bihu naam (Bihu songs) and Bihu naach ( Bihu dance) accompanied with various traditional musical instruments like dhol, taal, pepa, baanhi, gagana, toka, etc., by the youths are an integral part of this Rongali Bihu celebration. Generally, the Bihu songs having the rhythmic melody of love, longing and lust and the sound of the traditional musical instruments can be heard in various parts of the circle since the last part of March. However, this time no such sounds are being heard anywhere.
�In my 77 years, this is the first time that I can�t enjoy the festivity of Bihu because of the coronavirus factor, which has posed a serious threat to humans,� said Arjun Baruah, the president of Tinsukia Zila Sahitya Sabha. While wishing the people of Assam on this festive occasion and the Assamese New Year, the senior journalist and writer urged all to stay indoors and to celebrate Bihu within the family only.
�Rongali Bihu season is the crucial time for the artistes to earn something, but this year novel coronavirus has affected the entire nation,� said Nayan Deka (Pupi), a renowned keyboard player of Doomdooma. �So, at this moment, we are to think of our health and life. Our prime objective is to fight COVID-19. We will celebrate Bihu the next season,� he quipped.
Ranjit Gogoi, a young Bihuwa of Rupai Siding here said that though it pained him much, for the first time in his life he would not play dhol during this Bihu as the situation is very critical. He hoped that good days will come for the mankind soon. Banasree Bailung, a budding singer of Rupai Siding said, �As a budding singer we get a chance to expose our talents to the public through the Bihu stages. But, this time we will be deprived of it. Anyway, at this crucial juncture, it is our duty to stay indoors and stay safe.�
