GUWAHATI, Jan 1 - The Guwahati Friendship Day 2015 is an event to honour the Kamrupi Dhuliyas.
Pronounced as Dhuila in Kamrupi dialect, the folk art of the Dhuliyas is unique to lower Assam and is one of the few traditions struggling to find breathing space in the fast-changing cultural landscape of today. Although the term dhuliya literally means drummer, the Kamrupi Dhuliyas are more than that and they are well versed in acrobatic and theatrical skills which they combine with the art of playing the dhol (drum). Spontaneity of expressions and quickness of mind and feet are the hallmarks of a Kamrupi Dhuliya.
The Assam Foundation of North America (AFNA), in association with Hengul Haital, a Guwahati-based socio-cultural body is organizing the Guwahati Friendship Day at the Latasil playground in the city at 2 pm on January 4 to honour the Kamrupi Dhuliyas.
The Guwahati Friendship Day has been organized to raise awareness about this unique folk art and keep the tradition alive. Conceived by a group of non-resident Assamese living in the United States and Europe, the Friendship Day was celebrated last year at Nagaon to honour the Satriya artisans.
This year Ankur Bora of USA came up with the proposal of recognizing the Kamrupi Dhuliyas during the Friendship Day and started coordinating the initiative. A number of NRIs have made donations to AFNA for supporting the dhuliyas financially.
�The Kamrupi Dhuliyas are struggling to keep their heads above water. The barriers are broad and significant: they are struggling to carry forward the legacy in the face of modernization. With the arrival of electronic music systems and party and wedding bands, the drum beats of the dhuliyas have faded substantially,� Bora said.
Pranita Sarma on behalf of Hengul Haital has appealed to the Guwahatians to participate in the event.
The day will begin with a colourful cultural procession that will move to the District Library auditorium. Later, there will be a cultural function at the District Library auditorium where the dhuliays will be felicitated and they will perform their drama �Khittal.�
The Guwahati Friendship Day is also an event to welcome the New Year.
