JORHAT,Nov 23 - Buttressed by a lush green landscape reverberating with the cacophony of migratory birds on the bank of receding Red River, the State�s cultural epicentre Majuli is all set to celebrate Raas festival from Tuesday onwards as most of the satras and cultural troupes have completed their final round of rehearsal for the annual performances.
Officers from Majuli sub-divisional administration said that the historic satras apart, 40 other organising committees have already registered their names with the local administration in order to make the celebration a grand success across the length and breadth of the river island. According to them, around 15 organising committees are yet to get themselves registered. However, they are expected to submit their papers tomorrow morning.
Following the convention of the historic Dakhinpat Satra, Raas puja will start on Tuesday evening, which will be followed by dramatisation of Raas Leela of Lord Krishna at naamghars and several stages, i.e., from Wednesday to Friday.
To mark completion of 175 years celebration of Raas Mahotsav, the historic Satra has invited a cultural troupe from Manipur with an aim to strengthen the feeling of universal brotherhood.
A popular cultural organisation named Sanmilita Shilpi Samaj has made all possible preparations for the spectacular performance at Kamalabari. The president of the organisation, Prabhat Burabhakat said that Assamese cine artist Gayatri Mahanta, Pabitra Barua and many other experienced artistes will perform in the three-day professional show from November 25 to 27.
Since the past few years, Burabhakat and his associates have attracted thousands of tourists and devotees to their Kamalabari premises as many popular artistes have participated in the dramatisation of Lord Krishna�s eventful life through Raas Leela.
Along with the celebrations, the historic Uttar Kamalabari Satra will provide free food and lodging on a daily basis to all the visitors during the festival period at the Satra premises. This Satra is on record to have taken several initiatives for popularising Vaishnavite art and culture in India and many other foreign countries, besides providing education to children along with health service.
Visitors to this Treasure Island in recent days have been able to soak in the festive ambience while strolling through the dew-drenched pathways of the remote villages during the breezy evenings. Apart from preparations for the music, dance and drama, the traditional art form of mask-making has also take centrestage. Hordes of foreign tourists have already descended in river island Majuli to get a feel of the four-day festivities.
