Ugadi 2023: The Lesser Known Facts About Bihu Festival, The Ugadi Of Assam

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As Bihu approaches on 22 March 2023, it is time for the people of Assam to assemble at their colourful best and match their steps with the swaying rhythm of the paddy crops in the fields, accompanied by folk instruments and songs that inspire you to try a few steps. The national holiday is on the first spring day and hence people celebrate it with greater verve.

Incidentally, the paddy crop, is grown in three separate stages. The beginning of the planting season is called Bohag Bihu, whereas the Kati Bihu signifies the end of the sowing season and Magh Bihu the end of the harvest season.Let us go through some interesting facts that make Bihu all the more colourful and enthralling.

1. Etymologically, the word Bihu originates from the word Busu. Busu translates to "Excessive Joy" Busu is a Deori word from which Bihu is coined.

2. The creative genius who is behind the invention of this dance form of Bihu is the Kolimoti of Kesaikhati Gukhani Thaan.

3. In one of the Chutia King Lakshminarayan's inscriptions carved on a copper plate, we can still see that the word Bihu has been mentioned in 1401 AD.

4. Swargadeo Rudra Singha, the first king of the Ahom lineage, acknowledged Bihu to be the national festival of Assam in 1694. During Rudra Singha's rule, Husori acquired recognition from the royalty.

5. Rajanikanta Bordoloi was behind the term 'Bapoti Xahun', and he was the first to mention in his writings, the Bihu as the national festival of Assam.

6. The first Assamese film namely Smritir Porosh directed by Nip Baruah in 1956 includes a Bihu dance in one of its scenes.

7. There are seven days to the Rongali Bihi or the Saat Bihu celebrations. They are Chot Bihu, Goru Bihu, Manuh Bihu, Kutum Bihu, Senehi Bihu, Mela Bihu and Chera Bihu.

8. Somnath Bora says that the tradition of dhol is older by 4 eras when compared to Bihu.

9. Bihu Geet and folk dance is a must have item in any celebration of Bihu in Assam. People get into their best colourful traditional attire and perform the Bihu Naach which is the Bihu dance. People during this time, get in their best traditional attire and perform the Bihu Naach. An assemblage of the traditional musical instruments like Toka Xutuli, Baanhi, Dhul and Gogona, add a distinct cultural flavor to the goings on.

6) Various animal fights are organised during the Bhogali Bihu. We can also get to see buffalo fighting and cock fighting, and so on.

7. Bihu is a conglomeration of three festivals namely Rangali or Bohag Bihu which is in April, Kangali or Kati Bihu which occurs in October and Bhogali or Magh Bihu that happens in January at the end of the harvest season. Rongali Bihu is the primary Bihu festival that is usually equated with the Ugadi and other festivals.

8. Rongali Bihu, is the actual Assamese New Year among the three Bihus. 3) Goru Bihu, is the first day of Rongali Bihu. Farmers take their livestock to the river and give them bath which they consider a sacred activity, then they prepare a paste made out of turmeric and pulses namely Mah Haldi which is applied on the livestock Then the animals are pampered with the twigs of Makhiyati and Dighalati plants.

9. During Kongali or Kati Bihu, Bodo people of Assam light diyas and pray to God for a good harvest.

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