The Bihu Dance, Assam
4 Photos. Previous photo Next photo
The Bihu Dance is one of the most colorful folk dances of India. Bihu is generic to celebration in an agricultural society. For the people of Assam, Bihu is not only a festival, but also a time for celebration. The Assamese people celebrate three different Bihu festivals, Bohag Bihu or Rangoli Bihu, celebrated in Spring, Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu celebrated in Winter and Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu celebrated in Autumn. The Bihu dance is a traditional heritage of Assam and the festival helps to strengthen the unity in diversity among the people of Assam. During the revelry, the banks of the Brahmaputra come alive with the rhythms of the dhol (drum) and pepa (flute).
The dancers perform in a circle beginning with a slower tempo, which gradually gains momentum. Drums, cymbals, hornpipes, harps and bamboo clappers, provide musical accompaniment.
Though the dance is inspired by agricultural operations, the songs and the graceful dancing builds up an atmosphere of love and romance. The dance has been noted for maintaining authenticity and at the same time displaying the traditional Assamese handlooms and handicrafts in their beauty and glory. The costume worn by the women consists of a Gitigee (kind of headgear), Agoo (mekhala) and Lagu Richa (chaddar). Beautiful ornaments are their accessories. The men wear a Dhoti, Gomocha (Towel) and Chapkan (shirt).
Though the dance is inspired by agricultural operations, the songs and the graceful dancing builds up an atmosphere of love and romance. The dance has been noted for maintaining authenticity and at the same time displaying the traditional Assamese handlooms and handicrafts in their beauty and glory. The costume worn by the women consists of a Gitigee (kind of headgear), Agoo (mekhala) and Lagu Richa (chaddar). Beautiful ornaments are their accessories. The men wear a Dhoti, Gomocha (Towel) and Chapkan (shirt).
Must see places. All arrangements taken care of.
You may also like:
Fugadi folk dance of Goa and Maharashtra
Fugdi folk dance is from the Konkan region of Goa and Maharashtra. Only women dance to escape boredom from daily routines and monotonous schedules. The dance is also performed during Hindu religious festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and the Hindu month of "Bhaadrapaada."The women sing and dance in formations that include ... Read article
The Bihu Dance, Assam
The Bihu Dance is one of the most colorful folk dances of India. Bihu is generic to celebration in an agricultural society. For the people of Assam, Bihu is not only a festival, but also a time for celebration. The Assamese people celebrate three different Bihu festivals, Bohag Bihu or ... Read article
Chholiya Dance of Uttarakhand
The origins of this ancient dance may be traced back approximately 1000 years to the warring Kshatriyas of the Kumaon areas, when weddings were performed at the tip of swords.It was also done to keep off bad spirits who were said to be following the baraat since they preyed on ... Read article
Karma Dance, Bihar
The traditional Karma Dance gets its name from the Karma tree which stands for fortune and good luck. The dance begins with the planting of the tree, followed by circular formations around it.It is a group dance performed with equal number of men and women. The dancers form a two-tiered ... Read article
Gangore Festival of Haryana and Rajasthan
Gangaur festival celebrates the union of Shiva and Parvati, and the harvest season. It is celebrated in March by the women in Bhiwani, Haryana. That said, these days it also celebrated across many states in India especially Rajasthan.Gangore is celebrated in the month of April dedicating to Goddess Gauri or ... Read article
Modhera Dance Festival
The Sun Temple of Modhera is a masterpiece of the Golden Age of the Solanki Empire, which hosts the annual Dance Festival and flaunts the glory and splendor of that era.The Modhera Dance Festival which is also prevalently known as the "Uttarardh Mahotsavor Modhera Utsavis" is one of the most ... Read article
Lok Utsav Goa
This folk festival is organized around the 2nd week of January each year and held jointly by the Goa Art & Culture and the Udaipur, Kala Academy.A large number of folk groups from Goa perform various Goan folk dances like Ganesh Vandana, Kunbi, Jagor, Dekhani, Veerbhadra, Tonya Khel, Mussal, Lamp ... Read article
