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Bihu puts poll fever down
The melodious voice of the cuckoo, rhythmic drum beats heralding Rongali Bihu on Wednesday pushed away the election fever in the Northeastern state.
The melodious voice of the cuckoo, rhythmic drum beats and the blooming orchids heralding Rongali Bihu and the Assamese New Year on Wednesday pushed away the election fever in the Northeastern state.
The candidates of the various political parties have put on hold their campaign for the coming Lok Sabha polls for at least two days as the week-long Bihu festival, which dominates the social and cultural life of the state, is celebrated by people of all sections of the society.
All educational institutes and offices are closed to allow the people to participate in the festivities.
It is symbolised by the rhythmic dance of young maidens dressed in golden Muga silk mekhela-sador (Assamese attire) with red patterns woven into it and keteki blooms adorning their hair to the beat of the drums and the blowing of the buffalo horn pipes in open fields.
Rongali, the queen of the three Bihus celebrated by the Assamese and their ethnic brethren, is not only the festival of colour, creativity and joy, but also of brotherhood and harmony.
Unlike major Indian festivals which are mainly religious in character, Bihu is essentially an agrarian festival praying for good harvest with a secular spirit and is celebrated by people of all religions.
Re-enactment of "fertility rites", exuberance of youthful hearts and savouring traditional delicacies mark the Rongali Bihu being celebrated for the past 500 years since the rule of Ahom king Swargadeo Rudra Singha.
Scholars say Bihu is essentially an agriculture-based festival and has nothing to do with priests or religion. The songs embodied the blessings for a Happy New Year and the dances were associated with an ancient fertility cult.
Bihu has its songs woven mostly around themes of love with young men singing their messages of love to the charming maidens whose beauty they celebrate in their lyrics.
Noted folklorist Dr Prafulla Dutta Goswami said the sexual overtones in Bihu are very strong as its songs and dances are replete with the subject.
This is the time when young women dancing with exuberance and wild ecstasy to the beating of the drums choose their life partners.
People greet one another to mark the advent of the Assamese New Year, exchange gifts and sing Husori (community songs).