Danseuses reap money as corporates enter Bihu function

Guwahati, Apr 18: If you think only the winners of reality shows on television walk away with the riches, think again.

The Bihu danseuses of Asom too are rewarded in cash and other prizes that could give the big television show winners a close competition if one were to compare the size and expenditure on such programmes.

The stage programmes held during the Rongali Bihu functions in April, every year celebrating Assamese New Year, organise Bihu dance competitions crowning the best teams, 'Bihu Kuwari/Rani'(best female dancers) and 'dholiyas' (traditional drummers).

These functions have developed into multi-million programmes over the years.

The most elite of such functions, which are open for all and pull crowds by hundreds, have budgets ranging from Rs three lakh to Rs nine lakh.

The budget might be considered a lot of money in Asom, but if one compared it with the amount the winners of the competitions get, it would sound paltry, especially the amount won by the danseuses.

Besides the cash prizes which range from Rs 5,000 upward, the winners get gifts, the value of which adds up to several thousands.

In the competition among various function organisers to attract the best dancers and teams, the prize money has skyrocketed with the new organisers doling out huge amount of prize money.

The competition circle this year is abuzz with reports that a Bihu dance competition organiser in Lakhimpur in Upper Asom would announce a prize of Rs three lakh for the best dancer.

The competition is due later in the month, and though no confirmation has been received, there is ample scope to believe in the reports.

While Rs 1.5 lakh would be given in cash, a car of equal value would make up the rest of the prize.

Of course, other smaller gift hampers would also be there.

Another Bihu competition organiser in the oil town of Duliajan, also in Upper Asom, is reported to have announced Rs one lakh cash for the best dancer.

The fact that another organiser had actually gifted a car to the best dancer last year has fanned the reports as it indicated that more money is on its way for those who could excel. The older-stage Bihu functions in Guwahati are now hardpressed to keep up with the ever-increasing prize money announced by new players.

Of course, the prestige associated with winning in these old stages, which had produced the best known faces in Bihu dance in the state, still attracts the best talents.

Organiser of Pub-Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani, Chandmari, Paresh Rajbonshi said here, '' We did increase the cash prize a few years ago. Our main prize money comes from donors who have been long associated with us.'' While the ''Asom Bihuoti'' of this Bihu function walks away with close to Rs 30,000 in cash and other prizes, she also gets a 10 gm gold coin from the organisers.

''The crown the winner wins is made of 100 gm pure gold, which is kept by the committee after the formal crowning. She gets the coin instead, '' Mr Rajbonshi explained.

Besides the fixed donors, various sponsors chip in with gift hampers, ranging from washing machines to sewing machines, pressure cookers to irons and dresses to jewellery items.

The most prestigious competitions among the Bihu danseuses is ''Bihu Samrangi'' organised by the Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani at Latasil here.

The winner of the title gets a fixed amount of Rs 15,000 cash from the organisers, besides the innumerable gift items from sponsors and other cash prizes.

The arrival of corporate sponsors has changed the scene Big companies like Reliance, Coca-Cola, Aircell, State Bank of India, BSNL and others are putting substantial amount in these programmes.

Mr Rajbonshi informed that the money from the sponsors has added more glitz to the function, though the sharp rise in prize money for the danseuses is more out of competition among the organisers.

Though the money would definitely attract young talents, how long the momentum would be kept alive is a matter of conjecture as of now.

The money factor also threatens to undermine the efforts put by the winners, though the same factor has made professional Bihu dancing a career option for the youth.

UNI