The Bihu dance, a traditional dance from Assam in Northeast India, is closely linked to the Rongali Bihu festival. This highly anticipated festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and brings together people from various backgrounds in Assam, regardless of their caste, creed, or religious beliefs. For the people of Assam, Bihu has significant significance as it provides an opportunity to honor their livelihoods and cultural heritage.
This celebration, which originated in 3500 B.C., was initially a month-long observance but now lasts only a week. Assam is well-known for its vibrant fairs and festivals that showcase the culture, tradition, and lifestyle of the region. These festivals hold great significance in the diverse faiths and beliefs of the people. The three primary Bihu dances serve as a means for the Assamese to remain connected with the festival’s happenings.
Bohag Bihu is the most important day and dance, symbolizing the joy of harvest in Assam. It is part of a series of three Bihu festivals, with Kaati Bihu representing the sowing and transplanting of paddies, and Magh Bihu marking the end of the harvesting period. In this agriculturally-centered state, Bihu is traditionally celebrated with Bihu dance and songs called Husori. The festivities take place in village fields and courtyards, with groups of youths going from house to house singing Bihu Geets.
Husorti, a form of singing in Indian culture, has evolved into community functions held in towns and cities where cultural events take place. These functions are centered around Bihu dance and Bihu geets (songs) that depict the traditional Bihu dances and songs. Competitions are held, and performing groups from all corners of Assam gather, often traveling from one city to another to participate. The Bihu dance is accompanied by traditional Bihu folk music.
The dance is accompanied by folk songs called ‘Bihu Geet’. These songs represent love and romance shared by the young people of the village. Assam men use different instruments to create the music. The Dhol, a drum-like instrument, is commonly used. The Pepa, made from a buffalo horn, is a pipe instrument. Other instruments include various types of cymbals, the gagona which is a vibrating reed made from bamboo, and finally, the toka which is a bamboo clapper.
Both men and women play the toka, a musical instrument. The songs that accompany the dance have been passed down through generations and cover various topics, including welcoming the Assamese New Year and depicting daily life as a farmer. Many songs focus on love themes with suggestive elements. The Bihu festival is primarily a harvest festival with little religious significance. It occurs on a Sankranti day, marking the transition of the sun between zodiac signs. Approximately 80% of people in Assam rely on agriculture, connecting festivities to the start and end of the harvest season,” wrote Pradip Kumar Sarmah in his article titled “Bihu: Bihu, the Unifying Festival of Assam.” The Bihu festival showcases three main forms of dance along with numerous variations. Bohag Bihu, associated with vernal equinox and vibrant colors, is its most popular form occurring in mid-April over several days.
Kati Bihu, which is the second most popular, is connected to the autumn equinox, while Magh Bihu is linked to the winter solstice. Bohag Bihu, on the other hand, is celebrated when people are preparing the fields. Kati Bihu takes place when young seedlings are being transplanted, and Magh Bihu coincides with the harvest of crops. The term “Bihu” originates from the Sanskrit word “Visuvan,” which means equinox. (Nasadiya Arts Copyright 2008)
The initial phase of Bohag Bihu is referred to as the “festival of merriment” and occurs during Spring. It emphasizes nature and how it transforms into radiant light, beauty, and color.
The Bohag Bihu Dance, which has roots in a fertility cult, brings together young boys and girls in the land of romance. It expresses the joys of Spring and the energy of youth. This dance is accompanied by songs of “erotic sentiment” and the sound of the dhol, pepa, and other instruments. The Maagh or Bhogali Bihu, celebrated after the harvest is gathered, is the second most important festival. It is also referred to as the “festival of food” and includes activities such as bonfires, social gatherings, and feasting.
During the chants, various offerings are made to Agni, the God of Fire, as the Kati Bihu or the “festival of poor” takes place. Unlike the other two festivals, this one is simpler and occurs on the last day of the month of “Ashwin”. This month is the seventh month of the lunisolar Hindu calendar, when the previous harvest has disappeared and the new crops are not ready for harvesting. As a result, people are in search of food due to its scarcity. The prayers that people say during the festival hold great significance, as they offer them for a bountiful harvest in the upcoming season.
Other forms of this dance are the Moran Bihu, Deori Bihu, Mishing Bihu, Jeny Bihu and Mukholi Bihu. There are two other important types of Bihu Dance – Khasi and Garo Bihu Dance. The Bihu dance is performed by the Chakmas during Chaitra Sankranti. The Khasi dance is characterized by brisk stepping, flinging and flipping of hands, and swaying of the hip symbolizing the fever of Spring. Garo Bihu Dance is performed by the Garos of Bihu Tribe. “Except for Bhangra, no other folk dance in India can compete with the rhythmic exuberance of Bihu. Young boys and girls, who dance together, perform this dance but there is no mixing of the sexes.
The quote from the book “Let’s know dances of India” accurately portrays the dance, which is distinguished by lively footwork, energetic arm movements, rhythmic hip swaying, and symbolizes youthful ardor and procreative instincts. This dance is typically conducted outdoors in daylight with a clear separation between males and females. It can also be performed in forests, along riverbanks, or in an open field after sunset. Young individuals partake in this dance while accompanied by songs produced by the resounding beats of the Dhol and melodious tones of the Pepa instrument.
The dancers often create a circle or rows in parallel. The dance is known for retaining its authenticity while showcasing the traditional beauty of Assamese dancers. As society has evolved and industrialization has taken place, Rongali Bihu has transitioned from being performed in open fields and courtyards to the stage. Located on the eastern frontier of India where the sun rises first, Bihu represents the morning radiance of India’s vast cultural landscape. It has served as a unifying force, bringing together people of different backgrounds, religions, castes, and creeds who reside in Assam, due to its emotional appeal and connection with Mother Earth.
The Bihu festival plays a significant role in fostering social cohesion and fostering unity in the rich multicultural fabric of Indian familyhood. During this festival, girls don their finest traditional attire, typically a red floral mekhela. This mekhela is a cloth draped from the waist downward, adorned with a red border. Additionally, they wear a shawl woven from golden silk fibers and a red blouse. Their feet and palms are adorned with red pigment. On the other hand, young men sport a dhoti – a rectangular piece of cloth wrapped around the waist and legs, fastened at the waist.
A traditional garment worn by the Assamese people during Bihu celebrations is the kurta, a loose fitting shirt that reaches just above or below the knees. They also wrap a gomacha, a towel woven with designs, around their heads and waists. Another significant item in Assamese culture is the Japi, a colorful Bamboo hat. Farmers typically wear a simpler version of the Japi to protect themselves from the sun and rain while working in the fields.
