The music and the colors of Spring !!

Well.. I know this is not the Spring...and Bihu (a festival of Assam) is yet to come. I just wanted to share these photographs in my blog. I took these photographs for an assignment and it's more of a photo story. It was during the Bihu of 2011 in my hometown, Sivasagar. Here every year 'Rongali Bihu' is celebrated with great enthusiasm and grandeur. Hundreds of people participates in this festival and people from all over the state comes together to welcome the Spring!


Colorful... Fun...and Mesmirizing are just few words to describe the moments.

Situated in the eastern part of Assam, Sivasagar, a place with its history of folklore, the inherent craftsmanship of its people, simplicity of the dwellers and ground for many battles fought over the centuries. Blessed with a colorful historical background, Sivasagar was the capital of the Ahom rulers for six centuries, which ended with the arrival of British in the 19th century. Sivasagar was not only the political capital but also the cultural capital of Assam.

Every year Rongali Bihu is celebrated in Rang Ghar, an oval shaped amphitheatre, two-storied pavilion from which the Ahom kings used to watch elephant, buffalo and cock fights and other events. Bihu dancers from all over Assam comes to Sibsagar to participate in this cultural event. Here in this photograph we can see young girls prettily dressed in Mekhela Chador for the performance.

The Deoris are one of the major tribe living in different parts of Assam. The Deoris also observe the Bihu Festival. They call the Bohag Bihu as “Bohagiyo Bisu”.  In this photograph we can see the Deori women awaiting for the Swargadeo in Tolatol Ghar.

Jetuka.. Gaam  kharu..dhol..pepa.. The mesmerizing colours and sounds of Bihu is reflected in this photograph of 'Mishing girls' grooving to the beats of dhol, a traditional musical instrument.

Bihu for the young and the old alike. Also in the background we can see males dressed up like pretty assamese damsels for the occasion. This was the spirit and it still is among the people of Assam.

What a fantastic entry for the majestic Sargadeo!! Wearing his traditional Ahom Emperor attire and his sword dangling around his waist. His personal guard also personal attendant is seen holding an umbrella for him. 

P.S- He is not an emperor, but only dressed like one!! 

The Sargadeo (a Tai word for emperor) and his subjects parade from Tolatol Ghor to Rang Ghor. In the foreground is a policeman on guard, but back in those days it would have been a tall strong Ahom soldier taking Guard!