Tolis to pay tribute to Bhupen Hazarika

GUWAHATI: This year will mark the first Bihu celebration without Bhupen Hazarika, who passed away about six months ago. Bihu celebrations were incomplete without the doyen singing Bihu songs with his loyal entourage and his favourite harmonium.
The two Bihu tolis or venues where the doyen performed every Bihu will offer homage to Hazarika. Thousands used to flock the venues just to get a glimpse of the doyen and hear the countless spring songs in his baritone voice.The Latasil Bihu Sanmilani and the West Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani will organize special programmes in honour of Hazarika.
Apart from that, the two Bihu sanmilanis are banking on other events and performances to cater to the tastes and whims of the myriad Bihu revellers.
Considered as the first sanmilani to organize Bihu celebrations for the first time in Assam, the Latasil Bihu Sanmilani is adopting a special message for the Bihu this year. The committee will promote unity and integrity not only throughout the state but also throughout the northeast. Besides the usual Bihu song and dance programmes, artistes from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and other northeastern states will perform dance recitals.
“This year, we are focusing on unity and integrity amongst different communities and people of not only the state but also the entire northeastern region. The Bihu celebrations will commence from April 13 and will continue till April17. We will also showcase the old forms of Bihu like Tai Phake or Tai Ahom, Singpho Bihu, Thengal Kochari Bihu, Deuri Bihu, Mising Bihu and others, which emanated from the different communities of the region,” said Bani Sarmah, advisor of Latasil Bihu Sanmilani.
First consecrated in the fifties, the West Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani is focusing on sports and culture to spread a positive outlook amongst the youth. They are organizing a marathon that will cover a distance of 28 kilometres. “We have had more than hundred people enquiring about the marathon. We want to spread the message of sports and culture so that the youth can learn and develop a positive outlook. The marathon will start from Mirza to Bharalumukh,” said Rajib Kumar Borah, secretary of West Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani. “There will also be special programmes for women and children,” added Borah.