Assam welcomes New Year: Rongali Bihu celebrations

Guwahati, April 15: The trill of the cuckoo, the lilting Bihu songs to the beating of drums and cymbals accompanied by the mellifluous notes of bamboo flutes and buffalo horns heralded the spring festival of Rongali or Bohag Bihu in Assam welcoming the new year today (April 15).

Replacing the strident cacophonous campaigning for the assembly elections in the first week of the month, the cheerful Bihu songs with lyrics of youthful love played to the background as young men and women danced merrily.

"Bihu Pandals'' sprouted up everywhere where cultural programmes are held almost nonstop.

Beginning with Goru Bihu yesterday when the cattle of the household were given a ceremonial bath at the village river or tank, this agrarian festival marks the new year today for the state.

The joyful spirit of the occasion is represented in the community Bihu pandals set up by the people of almost every locality across the state where the dances and songs of the Assamese, ethnic communities and others from the rest of the country are peformed for four to five days.

PTI