Vedajyoti Ozah of Houston, Texas, has embarked upon the - Posoowa

NE USA Bihu Celebrates Tradition
and Second Generation Talents
After a bitter cold and long winter
in the NE part of the US, even the
weather agreed to welcome the
Assamese New Year with sunshine and
warmer temperature. And a generous
crowd of about 200 people mingled with
each other, relished traditional snacks,
listened to music and celebrated the spirit
of Rongali Bihu in Princeton, NJ on the
18 th of April 2009.
Keeping with the traditions built over
centuries back home and the ones that
the community has been building over the
decades- the Bihu celebrations showcased
activities and talents in various fields. The
festivities began with hoisting the “gamosa”
to the tune of “Sreemoyi Axomir” by
Abhisekh Choudhury. A traditional
Hussori, practised and perfected over
weeks blessed the community. Kalpana
Bordoloi of NJ welcomed the Hussori to
the “bihutoli”. The kids and the adults alike
enjoyed various games with much
enthusiasm. And while the adults
socialized, the kids dressed up, frolicked,
painted, and performed. In a way this year’s
Bihu celebrated the children spanning a
range from preschoolers to the ones who
are on the threshold of college life.
So when the cultural activities began- they
emceed, they danced, they sang, they
played instruments and entertained
everyone. It was very encouraging to
witness their involvement and traditional
performances. The dedication of the
children, their parents and the teachers
clearly deserve a special mention. Their
effort to keep the culture alive half the
world away from its root is amazing. The
participants for the cultural show were
Pokhi Barbara, Deisha Brahma, Anuj
Dutta, Risov Dutta, Naya Kalita, Rashmi
Hazarika, Sukanya Handique, Ruhika
Patra, Ananda saikia, Abhijaat Sarma,
Arunabh Sarma, Amit Sarma , Pongkhi
Sarmah, Meghna Sarmah, Varsha Sarma,
Paulash Sarmah, Priya Sarma,Devika
singh and Suranjana Thakuria.. Partho
Hazarika and Anoushka Barpujari emceed
the event. Deesha Sarma’s description of
Bihu set the tone for the cultural function.
Rick and Nick Bhuyan entertained the
gathering with their impeccable rendition
of popular songs.
Sankumani Sarma (NJ) and Gayatree
Sarma’s (NJ) songs were the awaited adult
performances of the evening and they
were delightful. The cultural function
ended with the rendition of “Jatiyo Sangeet”.
Dinner and the snacks, as always, were
outstanding affairs – completely created
and served by volunteers. If the afternoon
snack table was covered with ladus and
pithas, the dinner and dessert tables
proudly displayed all authentic Assamese
delicacies in abundance.
A new year has been added to the “probaxi
axomeeya” life. While praying for
happiness and peace with “Xorai –Gamosa”
for themselves, the North East Assamese
community extends the same wishes for a
prosperous New Year to everyone around
the world.
Gayatree Siddhanta Sarma
Poughkeepsie, NY
13
POSOOWA May 2009