Bihu dances. The performances include a range of other theatrical shows; other dance forms performances, solo singer concerts and stand up comedy. the stage Bihu form have become so popular that different Bihu organizers have extended the celebrations to Bohagi Bidai, which is celebrated for bidding adieu to the festive Bohag month. Instruments used in Bihu : Dhol Bihu celebration is insignificant with the traditional instruments of Assam. There are a variety of instruments which are used during Bihu performances, Bihu geets and dances. Some of Taal Gagana them are : Dhol : The Dhol is an important instrument of Xutuli Assamese culture. It is a percussion instrument Pepa similar to a drum. The Dhol is made of a wooden barrel. It is played with a stick and the palm on each side. The beat of the Dhol is the life of the Toka Assamese culture. A beat from the Dhol makes one swirl and dance to the rhythmic flow. Baanhi Taal : It is a small cymbal instrument. There are different types of Taal. This Bihu is characterized with a feeling of Pepa : Pepa is a flute like musical instrument solemnity as the granaries are almost empty during used in Bihu. It is a small stem capped with buffalo this season. On this Bihu, people light earthen horn. The sound of the Pepa is striking and lamps in front of tulsi plant, the granary, garden mesmerizing. and the paddy fields. The cattle are also fed with Other instruments used are the Toka, Gagana, pithas. Xutuli and Baanhi (flute). Kati or Kongali Bihu has a different flavor as Bohag Bihu is celebrated in different states of there is less merriment and the atmosphere has a India in different names, eg. Andhra Pradesh – sense of constrain and solemnity. People worship Ugadi. the deities for a rich harvest; it is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi who is the dispenser Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu~ of wealth to mortals. Kati Bihu marks the Kongali Bihu is also known as Kati Bihu as it completion of sowing and transplanting of paddies. falls on the Assamese month of Kati. It falls in In the evenings, offerings are made to the mid-October and is the Bihu of less merriment. 'Tulsi' plant. Little earthen lamps (Diyas) are lighted at its feet and puja rituals are offered to God for improvement in crops and their yield. The significance of this Bihu is more in the villages, where farmers go to their respective fields and light 'Akash-Banti' or sky- lamp on the tip of a bamboo pole to show the souls of the dead the way to heaven. Sacred to the Hindus, the tulsi (Basil) tree is planted or pruned in the courtyard of each household and for the whole Assamese month of Kati, people worship the Tulsi plant with an earthen lamp.
...... tied with unseen golden threads ...... ŒÚÀ√‡± Œ¸±Ì±˘œ ¸”Ó¬±À1 ¬ıg± ...... 21 also exchange of sweets and greetings at this time. The entire night is spent around the Meji with people singing Bihu songs, beating Dhol, a typical kind of drums, merrymaking or playing games. The boys go out and steal vegetables and firewood for fun. In the morning, the people take a bath and then burn the Meji. They offer pithas to the burning Meji and pray to the Fire God to mark the end of the harvesting season. Thereafter they come back home carrying pieces of half burnt firewood for being thrown among fruit trees for favorable results. On the first of Magh (the day Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu~ after Uruka), people visit relatives and friends The Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu is a harvest places to enjoy Bihu delicacies like different types festival generally falls on the 14th January on the of pithas, sira-doi, jalpan and other delicacies Sankranti of the month is the third Bihu that calls prepared during Bhogali Bihu. for a grand celebration in Assamese homes. Even Bhogali Bihu is marked by special events like in different states of India this harvest festival is bull fight, cock fight and egg fight which occurs on celebrated in different names. (Gujarat/ the first of Magh. There are bull fights across the Maharashtra/Madhya Pradesh/Rajasthan/Goa – villages and smaller towns across Assam held in Akhatri/Akshay Tritia, Kerala/Karnataka – open spaces where large crowds from villages Deepoli, Portions of Bihar and also Nepal – come and view these fights. The bulls are taken Jurshital, Kerala – Kanyarkali, Arunachal Pradesh from the villages and pitted against each other and – Dree/Solung, Whole of Northern India – the winner bull and the master are awarded prizes. Makarsankranti, Tamil Nadu – Pongal, Punjab – In egg fights two or multiple players play against Lohri, Western India/Bangladesh/also Nepal – each other and the winner is the one whose eggs do Vasant Panchami). Bhogali Bihu comes from the not crack open when the competitors try to break word 'Bhog' that is eating and enjoyment. The best them. thing about this Bihu is the elaborate and Bihu is celebrated all across the state of Assam sumptuous cuisine that is prepared. Bhogali Bihu is with much merriment. It is also celebrated by the also called 'Magh Bihu' as it falls on the Assamese Assamese across India and the world. The month of Magh. Bhogali Bihu is also the Bihu Assamese people living in different states of India celebrating harvest when food is available in celebrate Bihu by conducting functions in abundance. That is why it is known as Bhogali for Assamese societies. Likewise, in abroad, different eating and enjoyment (Bhog means food). Bihu associations celebrate this festival with great Bihu marks the end of harvesting period and enthusiasm and gaiety. Generally it consists of granaries at this time are full. There is lot of fabulous Assamese chorus, borgeet, bihugeet, bihu feasting and eating during this Bihu. On the eve of dance, songs by local artists, bihu husori and the Bhogali Bihu day, it is called the Uruka. This display of various Assamese food items like Pitha- grand feast known as Bhog is held on the night of laru. Some Assamese societies of different the first day of the festival in Uruka night. countries call prominent star artists to give On this day, the young men folk go to the performance among Indian audiences in their nearby field and build a makeshift cottage called respective countries. Ladies dressed in Mekhala- 'Bhelaghar' and also a 'Meji' with hay. During the chador and gents dressed in Dhuti-kurta-gamosa night, the people of the village cook in the create an environment of Assam outside India, Bhelaghar and community feast occurs. There is whereever they live. Mobile : 9711497328, E-mail : [email protected]
Crude oil was discovered in Assam in late 19th century. The first oil well in Asia was drilled at Digboi, the Oil City of Assam. The first refinery in Asia was started here as early as 1901.