GUWAHATI,May 6 � The Assamese community in the Research Triangle Area of North Carolina, USA (Raleigh-Durham) celebrated Rongali Bihu in Morrisville on April 30 in an atmosphere reminiscent of the Bihu celebrations of the past and present in Assam, an e-mail received here stated. It was a day of togetherness to celebrate the Assamese New Year and appreciate the bonds of kinship by reliving the traditions that throb in every Assamese heart.
Surrounded by colourful gamochas, jaapis and sarais beautifully arranged to create an authentic Assamese d�cor, the day began with a cultural programme in which everyone joined in with great enthusiasm. The programme began with a soulful sound devotional song sung by Rathin and Meenakshi Dev Choudhury. It was followed by a children�s programme that included the rendition of a Hindi song by eight-year-old Vansh Gogoi and a group dance by Ayana Chakraborty, Tanisha Gogoi, Eesha Barua and Rohini Sharma that drew large applause.
A modern dance performed by Namrata Chetia Borah, Sriparna Chakraborty, Geetanjali Sharma, Sarika Gogoi and Shrabanti Barua was followed by Sudip Das�s rendition of a Bhupen Hazarika favourite, Bistirna Parore. Sudip enthralled the audience with his remarkable ability to recreate the tune and voice of Bhupenda�s original song. Afterwards, the Nahar Phoole Nuxuai sung in a chorus, was followed by a popular Bihu song � the highlight of the programme � led by Rathin Dev Choudhury, Sudip Das, Deboo Gogoi and Pulakesh Barua. The audience joined the dance which truly brought out the spirit of the event.
The Bihu programme ended with a lunch. The children enjoyed a variety of special games and competitions organised by Sudip Das.
The activities of the day, together with fun-filled trivia questions presented by Devraj Borah throughout the programme, kept everyone engaged not only to the fun of the day but also provided ample opportunities to learn and recall important aspects of Assamese culture and heritage.
