SPIC MACAY

Bihu dance by Shri Ranjit Gogoi and team

On 9th November 2016, SPIC MACAY IIIT Bangalore Chapter hosted a Bihu performance by Ranjit Gogoi (choreographer and leader), Chandra Hira (vocalist & flutist), Plabon Saikia and Ritupon Kachari (drummers​), Priti Rekha Tamuli, Ganga Basumatary, Priyanka Sonowal & Navaruna Borah (dancers). Bihu is a traditional dance of the state of Assam. It is traditionally performed at the onset of Spring or Rongali Bihu festival, a festival of the farming community. People celebrate it together with great joy and merriment irrespective of their caste, creed & religious belief as they welcome their traditional New Year. Three main Bihu festivals are popular in Assam - Rongali Bihu, Kongali Bihu & Bhogali Bihu. This joyous dance is performed by young boys & girls. Includes brisk dancing steps & rapid hand movements. They wear traditional Assamese clothes like dhoti-gamocha for male dancers & mekhala-chador for women dancers. They dance to the beats of various instruments like Dhol, Taal, Pepa, Toka, Baanhi, Xutuli & Gogona. The songs sung speak about happy harvests, love, remembrance of the loved ones, etc. The male dancers & musicians enter the dancing arena first, followed by the female dancers who merge into their formations. The dance is usually characterised by definite postures; movements of the hips, arms, wrists; twirls, squats & bends but no jumps. It is well known across the globe & is popular as it has maintained its purity and authenticity.