Assam dances to Bihu tunes

As the first drops of rain moisten the parched earth after the dry Assamese months of Fagun and Chot and the fresh green leaves announce the arrival of the bountiful month of Bohag, Assam gets ready for the rich tapestry of colours that is Rangali Bihu.

This is mainly a harvest festival and the farmers are ready for the new harvest. The festival starts on the last day of Chot, that was Friday. This day is the celebration of the cows – a symbol of bounty, and is know as Garu Bihu. On this day, the cattle are taken to the river for a bath and fed brinjals and gourds. A traditional ditty is sung alongside which goes: "Lao kha, bengena kha, bachare bachare badi jaa, mar saru baber saru toi hobi bor garu” which would literally mean “Eat these gourds and brinjals, then little one go home. Your mother and father were small and weak but you will grow up to be a big and strong cow”.

The following six days will each be dedicated to one aspect of the Assamese way of life. The first will be Manuh Bihu (bihu for human beings), Gosai Bihu (bihu for the gurus), Tant Bihu (bihu for handloom) and Kutumb Bihu (bihu for relatives). The last but one day of Bihu is Mela bihu, which is basically a carnival and Sera Bihu, the last day is the grand finale.

From the second day onwards, people dress up in new clothes and visit their relatives. Groups of people visit houses and perform the huchari, a tradition of songs and dance that conveys good wishes for health and prosperity. This goes on for at least a week.

These days, the festival has grown big and is conducted on a large scale. Bihu committees are set up which organise these festivals to go on for weeks. Apart from competitions on various events, cultural nights are organised with best shows of huchari troupes of the states.