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Posted on: Apr 17, '08

cleanse our body and soul

The great singer-lyricist Dr. Bhupen Hazarika described Rongali Bihu ( the spring festival of Assam ) as not mere a season but a lifeline of the people of Assam - the unifying force of the people irrespective of caste, creed, community etc. Thus bihu plays a greater role in the society, but alas where have gone those days when people from every walks of life throng the bihu pandels to watch bihu functions without winking eyes, without any fear of any untoward incident, thanks to gun-trotting extremists of any hue !!

The composite Assamese society, which is the result of assimilation of different tribes and communities, has been plagued by a sense of distrust and suspicion. Divisive forces are gaining ground.

Bihu is primarily a festival of agricultural background. But agro-based rural folks are in constant fear of loosing its hold over market as elsewhere in India.

Echoing the spirit of a predominantly agrarian society, prasing mother nature, there are various forms of bihu dances practised by different tribes and communities. Earlier they were performed in open fields, under the banyan tree; but later they were brought to the modern atmosphere making them artificial to a large extent. Materialism come to the fore.

The traditional bath associated with bihu is symbolic of a cleansing process - much like nature's own way of wearing new in the spring season. Bihu is a significant reminder that Nature is the source of and it sustains all life. But do we, the rapists of the forests, the polluters of environment claim to be the celebrator or the inheritor of bihu spirit ?

Rongali Bihu, as the name signifies, is essentially a festival of merry-making through dance and song, woven round the themes of love and young nature. But over the years it has undergone changes. Some are unavoidable. But some are unhealthy trends that crept into the culture. Too much commercialisation, forceful collection of donations, overdose of pop culture, etc etc are doing more harm than good. Are we heading towards a total sacifice of Bihu at the altar of socalled modernity ?

Tags: society, tradition, nature, culture, india

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tito2008 said:
thnx everybody...you have grasped what i intend to convey...

April 19, '08

sazzyme said:
thanks much for bringing it out - Rongali Bihu..i would have been blissfully ignorant else.

the title of the blog speaks volumes bout the festival..cleansing?!! a much needed ritual in all aspects for every worthy being..

couldnt agree with u more dude, when u said

a civilised community cannot afford to lose its identity.. i honestly know what ya are talking bout..

kudos! and yeah now i know a thing or two bout bihu for i googled extensively..pix of the festival are wonderful.

April 18, '08

oliveintl said:
many FESTIVALS are being VANDALIZED.... I think it's happening all over INDIA...

April 17, '08

LovelyStars said:
I have never been to Assam. Its nice to learn different cultures within India which enhances the respect on others and improves the power of nationality.
Sneha

April 17, '08

tenjade_destiny said:
thx for acquainting us with this nice information....knowing one's cultural diversity is always a delight. it is really a distressing fact that our culture and heritage is in danger these days...

April 17, '08

tito2008 said:
A festival symbolizes a distinct culture and heritage. No civilized community can afford to lose its identity.

April 17, '08

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