By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: As famous British poet Percy Bysshe Shelley had said ‘If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?’ the state of Assam erupts in joy to welcome the spring like many, barring caste, creed and religion. Here it is called Rongali or Bohag Bihu which is the Assamese New Year. During the period of seven days the entire state is hovered with the songs of love and nature, leaving everything aside.
The Muslim population, most of whom might have origin elsewhere, but gradually integrated with the society too has its role to play along with various tribes and communities including the Bodo, Rabha, Karbi, Mising, Dimasa, Gorkha, Sonowal Kochari and host of others.
Even the people residing the in char (river side) areas have been celebrating the Bihu with pride for a long time. “The question of religion never arises when it comes to the celebration of Bihu. It has been the part and parcel of our lives. We welcome the spring and it is related to our lifestyle especially for the state which is basically depends on the agriculture,” says Ismail Hussain, a noted author who is also a lecturer at Jorhat Engineering College in Assam.
People from east to west of the state, bathe their cows and wish for their health on the first day of the Bihu which is observed as Goru Bihu (Cattle Bihu). “Cow is related to our way of life in the agriculture filed. So, religion does not matter here,” he added. While, on the second day the elders bless the younger ones for prosperity and well being.
Hussain who has also been the chief advisor of Sontoli Ancholik Rongali Bihu Sanmilan (organizing committee of public Bihu celebration) says that these people have been observing the Bihu for a long time.
Sontoli is a small town in Kamrup district on the bank of Brahmaputra with 20 villages and 99 per cent of the population is Muslim.
Sherif Imdad, a Gauhati University student getting ready for the Bihu celebration.
“Along with the entire state we the people of Sontoli also feel the warmth of spring and we are glad that we have completed the silver jubilee of our Bihu celebration. Even in the time of crisis in the state Bihu has been able to keep us united,” said Azad Usman Goni, president of Bihu celebration committee and a local resident.
Youths sing and dance to the tunes of love and appreciation for the nature and their beloved during the festival.
“Since our childhood we go around in our neighbourhood to perform husori (carol). My friends include Bengali speaking Hindu, Assamese Hindu, Muslims and even Bodos. But we never feel the difference. The level of enjoyment we do during the Bihu cannot be compared,” said Sherif Imdad, a Gauhati University student as he joins his friends in his hometown at Dalgaon in Darrang district.
First day of the Bihu is observed as Goru Bihu (Cattle Bihu).
On the other hand, Sivasagar, the capital of Ahom dynasty witnessed the various colours of Bihu on the first day of first Assamese month Bohag. Various tribes and communities gleefully participated on the day long programme on the courtyard of historic Rang Ghar.
Jikir and Jari, a unique genre of music among the Muslim community in Assam, was propagated by 17th century saint Ajan Fakir, and has become an important part of Bihu celebration.
“We feel proud to be a part of this festival here at Sivasagar. We performed Jari on the occasion along with forms of traditional items. I think such type of unity in diversity is nowhere to be found in the world,” said Khairuddin Ahmed, son of Jikir and Jari exponent Kerimuddin Ahmed.
Jikir and Jari is a unique genre of music among the Muslim community in Assam which was propagated by the 17th century saint Ajan Fakir to unite the Hindu and Muslim communities.
Through Jari, Islamic tales are told while the Jikirs are the compositions that have social issues too along with Sufism. Though the content of the Jikir is Islam related, the form of expression is totally folk, based on Assam.
The people belonging to the Bodo community also observed the arrival of the spring with Baisago.
(Photos by Luit Chaliha and Abdul Gani)