Dibrugarh, Thursday, January 14, 2016
Bihu is the most important festival of the Assamese people that is observed by all, irrespective of class and caste. With the passage of time, this festival has been adjusting itself at different ages, taking into consideration the changed situation of a particular age. Bihu is mainly a culture of the masses, secular in concept and it is intimately connected with agriculture. The Eastern Today wishes its readers a very Happy Magh Bihu.
Imploration
cmyk
B
ihu is the most auspi cious festival that is cel ebrated in the state of Assam with pomp and show. It is celebrated not once, but thrice a year, albeit each time it signifies something unique to the people of Assam. Bhogali or Magh Bihu
means, it is a time for new beginnings and for the celebration of life through feasting and merry making. Bihu marks the end of harvesting period and granaries at this time are full. There is lot of feasting and eating during this Bihu. On the eve of the Bhogali
Bihu day, it is called the Uruka. This grand feast known as Bhog is held on the night of the first day of the festival in Uruka night. So this, Magh Bihu let us all hope that in the burning fire of ‘Meji’ all the evil of our society too gets burnt.
Assamese- Ms Kshiroda Devi Translated by Ashok Bordoloi
cmyk
Time for merriment
Bring me back a night Fraught with the aroma Of my childhood, I feel like being asleep In my dinner table Bring me back that day Yet again. In the nebulous pinching cold I feel like getting lost Concealing my face In the warmth of Mom's apron Give me back that day Yet again. Amidst the breast of 'Mom' Under the warm cotton quilt On my damp beloved bed I feel like sleeping With a shrunken posture Yet again. Running in toddling Mom's soothing In the midst of her breasts After a fall Bring me back Those colourful days Yet again. Take away, all my belongings Take away what you want In those colourful days Chasing after butterflies Give me back even For a day, yet again.
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A time to celebrate life Let this Bihu heal wounds and make us tolerant Once again it's that time of year when people feel complete and celebrate life. After all, the granaries are full. Since Magh Bihu is a harvest
festival, feasting and merry-making are therefore only natural during Bhogali Bihu. However, today it is also important to ponder about our present and future during the festivities. At a time when our society is witnessing frequent clashes and violence, Magh Bihu must be used as an opportunity to heal our wounds and overcome our frustration and depression while aspiring for a better tomorrow. The main reason behind violence and clash we are witnessing today is the growing intolerance among us. But when we are in touch with nature, we become tolerant and thus this festival can be the right occasion to be in harmony with nature. The festival is also an occasion for us to get closer to nature. It will help us rejuvenate. The meji, which is lit on Magh Bihu day, is a symbol of purification of our minds and souls. It is a process of transferring the
fire in the meji to our minds. The fire implies the inner strength to douse the evils in us and strength to create or do something worthwhile for society. The fire that burns with the mejis must also cleanse our hearts. All that is evil must be consigned to the flames.
Sushmita Jena But the celebration of Magh Bihu has undergone a lot of changes over the years. People are seen no more celebrating the Bihu as they used to do earlier. In early days, preparation for Magh Bihu use to start a month earlier. From every household the sound of 'Dheki' would be heard and also the smell of jaggery could felt in the air all around. The entire environment of Assam starting from Sadiya to Dhubri
would turn into something very lively. People from various communities were seen busy preparing Bihu ethnic foods, bhela ghars etc. No matter what, people from Assam were seen celebrating Bihu with their whole hearts out. But nowadays, it is no more the same. In this concrete world, people are so busy that they do not have time for the preparation of pitha and laddus. Instead they prefer to buy them directly from market which they think is a much convenient way and a easy method for time saving. But above all, let us all hope that this Magh Bihu may bring in prosperity and peace to all of us. Lastly, let us promise that we will celebrate this Magh Bihu without harming the nature and without disturbing the ecological system of the surrounding around us.
Magh Bihu: History and significance to Assamese Culture Abstract: Magh Bihu (also called Bhogali Bihu (Bihu of enjoyment) or Maghar Domahi) is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, India, which marks the end of harvesting season in the month of Maagha (JanuaryFebruary).It is the Assam celebration of Sankranti, with feasting lasting for a week.The festival is marked by feasts and bonfires. Young people erect makeshift huts, known as meji, from bamboo, leaves and thatch, in which they eat the food prepared for the feast, and then burn the huts the next morning. The celebrations also feature traditional Assamese games such as tekeli bhonga (pot-breaking) and buffalo fighting. Magh Bihu celebrations start on the last day of the previous month, the month of "Pooh", usually the 29th of Pooh and usually the 14th of January, and is the only day of Magh Bihu in modern times (earlier, the festival would last for the whole month of Magh, and so the name Magh Bihu). The night before is "Uruka" (28th of Pooh), when people gather around a bonfire, cook dinner, and make merry. There are other conventional festivals observed by various ethnic-cultural groups. Me-dam-mephi, Ali-aye-ligang, Porag, Garja, Hapsa Hatarnai, Kherai are few among them.The Koch celebrates this bihu as pushna. All Assamese people around the world celebrates this tradition on the month of January as per English calendar. The Uruka comes on 13 January & Bihu is on 14-15. Importance of Magh Bihu It all starts on the eve of the Bhogali Bihu day when young men move into the fields and set up Mejis: structures made of thatch, firewood, and hay, which are burnt on the following morning. Around these Mejis, temporary hut like structures called Bhelaghars are also set up. People, especially the agrarian community, spend the whole of the night in these Bhelaghars, guarding the Mejis through the night and partaking in community feasting, fun, games, music and dancing to Bihu geets. In the night, a grand feast is prepared and the whole community partakes in it. In the morning at sunrise, people move out from Bhelaghars, take a bath, and then return to light fire to Mejis. Edibles like coconuts and betel nuts are thrown into the fire which is
day on which a ?re sacri?ce was performed in the hope of obtaining a better crop. This word, together with the practices it involved, is believed by various scholars to be the root of the present-day word Bihu and the festival's attendant customs (P. Goswami 1996, 1-6). Other texts, such as the Vishnu Purana(c.400 CE), state that a festival called Bisuva took place between winter and spring, when the sun changed its position from one particular sign of the zodiac to the next (P. Goswami1996, 1).Twentieth-century etymological studies that search for Sanskrit sources of words are also re?ective of approaches intended to reinforce the view of Assamese culture as part of an Indo-Aryan lineage and its form as a result of the Sanskritisation of local cultures. Relatively recent interpretations looking at the Tai origin of the word relate it to a form of cattle worship, construed from boi, "the rules of worship," and hu, "cow" (Sarmah 1996, 61). This, however, does not explain the presence of festivals of similar name and origin in other parts of India. like symbol of thanksgiving for the harvest that has been collected. People also pray to the Agni Devta and seek his blessing for the next harvest season. The half burnt firewood gathered by the people is thrown among the fruit bearing trees to seek an abundant harvest. Then all the trees in the compound are tied to bamboo strips or paddy stems. The celebrations then go on for the rest of the day with more feasting and exciting sports, some of which are region specific, like buffalo fighting, cock fighting, and egg fighting. These however, have no religious significance and are played simply for some competitive enjoyment. The birds that are caught for the sports (few days before the events) are fed nutritiously and also trained. The owner of the winning bird or buffalo takes away a cash prize and a trophy as collectible. In the end all the birds are freed and the celebrations continue for some more time, or days in a few culturally ethnic groups. Thus ends the festival of Bhogali Bihu and people await eagerly for a new beginning with Rongali Bihu.
Bihu History Historically, it is believed that the festival of Bihu originated in the pre-Aryan days around the 3500 century BC. From then onwards to the following many centuries until the recent, celebrations used to last for a month or more, which now have been reduced to a week. Even the word "Bihu" is said to have been derived from the language of Dimasa Kacharis, an agrarian tribe that has existed from many a centuries. Since long, Bihu has been a festival to rejoice, offer thanks, and pray for a bountiful harvest.
Pranjal Kumar Phukan
The Bihu songs also had an influence on Assamese literature, and legend has it that Madhav Deva (early 15th century), whose outstanding contributions include Assamese rendering of the Adi Kanda of Valmiki's Ramayana; and Sankar Deva (early 15th century), the great hymn composer could not escape from the influence of Bihu geets. Most explanations of the origins of Bihu have stemmed from etymological investigations. In the sacred Hindu texts Atharvaveda (900 BCE) and the AitareyaBra hmana (c. 600 BCE), the Sanskrit word Bisuvan occurs, referring to a
This is celebrated on the last day of the month 'Puh' and lasts for three days. It is celebrated after the annual harvest; the name 'Bhogali' suggests banquets and food - indeed, this is the Bihu for those fond of food and eating! The last day of 'Puh' is called 'Uruka', when the men folk construct a makeshift cottage called the 'Bhelaghars' and the 'meji' - a tall structure of fire-wood and bamboo poles in the field. The fun, feasting and gaiety continue through the night. The next day, at dawn, the community pays homage to the god of fire - setting alight the meji and then offering sweetmeats to the fire. After this, people visit each other's homes, and refreshments of various kinds are served. Among the chief attractions of this Bihu is the Buffalo fight and Bulbul fight. The parallels for the Magh Bihu are the 'Nara-siga' Bihu of the Misings and the 'Pushy Par' or 'Tushu' Puja of the tea tribes of Assam. (Author is recipient of prestigious Peter F Drucker award for his outstanding contributions in the field of management from University of Swahili- A Fully accredited chartered Government University. He can be contacted at pranjal_xlri@yahoo.com)
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Down the corridors of time The Essence of Magh Bihu
India is the land of festivals. With its rich tapestry of cultures and festivities, probably no other region justifies this as well as our very own north east. Each season brings in with it some or other festival that spices up the lives of the people in this corner of Incredible India. After being soaked in the festive spirit of the English New Year we hardly have a moment's rest when Bhogali Bihu arrives -- with promises to drench us in its flavours and delights. Bhogali or Magh Bihu is indeed a festival of fasting and feasting. In many places, people fast on the day before uruka (the first day of Bhogali Bihu). For the next two days-there is a succession of feasting and merry making. The term 'bhogali' traces its origin to 'bhoga' which means eating/enjoyment. In the Assamese consciousness Bhogali Bihu is associated with the pounding dheki , the buzz of activities in the household, the aroma of fried and baked delicacies, the frequent trips to the bazaarand most importantly, the community feast on the uruka and the meji or the bhelaghar. Today however most of these experiences linger more in our memories and in the aromas that waft the air. In those days of our childhood and youth, Bhogali Bihu had meant a flurry of activity in every household. It was a time,
when an entire locality would get together to shop, cook, and eat as one family. Bhogali Bihu in fact reminds us at once of the urukar bhoj i.e. the community feast on uruka. The morning after, people would gather around the meji to make offerings of 'til' (sesame), rice and other eatables to 'Agni'-the God of fire. Also, ashes of the burnt mejis would be scattered over the fields; for it was believed to increase the fertility of the soil. These traditions are sadly, dying a slow death. Although the flurry of activity associated with Bihu is there even today (yet) the contours have changed. With increasing urbanization and consequently, sparse land space, the bhelaghar or the meji are almost passĂŠ. Buffalo fights, egg fights and other traditional entertainments are virtually unknown to the new age Asomiya. With a plethora of malls and shopping arcades, and easy availability of most commodities, the dheki and the taat xaal (loom) have but vanished from people homes. Bihu today is a season of shopping for the latest designer tees and kurtis. From the pithas to the laddoos to most other delicacies that we offer our guests during Bhogali Bihu come straight from the supermarket next door. Our children, today show greater inclination towards the pastry than the pitha. With the
so-called fast life invading our socio-domestic spheres, people are isolated like never before. Though people do get together for a meal beside a warm fire in farmhouses and open fields, (sadly) these often deteriorate into one and another form of alcohol-drenched late-night parties. In view of all this--Bhogali Bihu today is generally deemed to be a shadow of its past.
younger lot. This has also enabled numerous groups and individuals to eke out a living. In a state ravaged by insurgency and where unemployment is rampant, such avenues offer young men and women an opportunity to earn an honest living. The success and popularity of Pre-Bhogali Utsav and other such festivals at the NedfiHaat and the Sankardev Kalakshetra among others attests to this.
Yet-not all is lost in this land of the Red River. The biggest strength of the Assamese community is that its national festival Bihu is not a religious but an essentially agricultural festival that has the entire Assamese community participating in it-irrespective of religious, ethnic, caste and linguistic identities. On the night of uruka all kinds of barriers are wiped out when men eat out of the same pan. This community feast is in itself a symbol of unity; it stands for the brotherhood and harmony that continual ethnic strife has eroded considerably from the composite Assamese society. On the day of the Bihu, people visit one another's families offering good wishes and seeking blessings from elders. In our isolated modern lives, such opportunities help us to mend and forge bridges between hearts. The fire of the meji purifies and purges all vices.
The famed Bihu dance-is restricted to the bihu VCDs that throng the market at the advent of each Bihu season. Though much of the output is well below par, yet these have at least managed to keep the folk culture of Assam alive and vibrant in the hearts and minds of its people.
Viewed from another perspective, availability of the different pithas, laddoos etc. in the market has enabled the traditional delicacies to sustain in the face of the newer tides in tastes of the people, especially the
An encouraging trend is the celebration of Bihu-especially Magh Bihu and Rongali Bihu by the Non-Resident Assamese in other parts of India as well as abroad. Magh Bihu celebrations in places as diverse as Singapore, Dubai, Qatar and United States of America have become annual affairs. Thus, in spite of the myriad changes that have come over with the passage of time, Bihu continues to live in our minds and hearts; and in the nooks and crannies of the numerous towns and hamlets beside the Brahmaputra and its tributaries... As the sun turns warmer on our backs, and aromas begin to tickle our taste buds, we brace ourselves to welcome this festival of Food into our lives. Happy feasting to all!!
Magh Bihu Or Bhogali Bihu (Bihu Of Enjoyment) Magh bihu or Bhogali bihu or Maghor bihu which is a harvest festival and marks the end of harvesting season is comes from the word 'Bhog' that is eating and enjoyment. It marks the end of harvesting season in the month of Maagha (JanuaryFebruary). It is the Assam celebration of Sankranthi, with feasting lasting for a week. There is a lot of feasting and eating in this bihu celebration as the fields are full. On the eve of the bihu, called 'uruka', young men go to the field, preferably near a river, build a makeshift cottage called 'Bhelaghar' with the hay of the harvest fields and the 'Meji', the most important thing for the night. During the night, people prepare food and there is community feasting everywhere. The entire night (Uruka) is spent around the Meji with people singing bihu songs, beating 'Dhol', a typical kind of drums or playing games. Magh Bihu is celebrated at a season when winter is about to go. It is believed that the fire of Meji burns the winter out. The next day is the main Magh Bihu. In the very early morning, people take bath and burn the main 'Meji'. People gather around the 'Meji' and throw 'Pithas' (rice
cakes) and betel nuts to the fire while burning it at the same time. They offer their prayers to the God of Fire and mark the end of the harvesting year. Next day is followed with community celebrations all across with rice cakes being distributed to all. People visit relatives and friends to convey and exchange Bihu greetings. Ladies of the society prepare for this Bihu for many days. They cook various snacks, sweets, for this day. On the Bhogali Bihu day, they carry their food items to the auspicious Meji spot. Various types of Jolpan and pitha are served to everyone. Like all other Bihu, Magh Bihu also has the ritual of showing respect the the elder one with Gamosa. A peculiarity of this festival is that in some parts of the state the traditional "Buffalo Fight" is organized to make the festival more interesting. Different types of sports like Eggfight, Cockfight, Nightingale fight etc. are held throughout the day. There are other conventional festivals observed by various "enthno-cultural" groups. Medammephi, Aliayeligang, Porag, Garja, Hapsa Hatarnai, Kherai are few among them. The koch celebrates this bihu as pushna.
DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JANUARY 14
Tiny Warriors of The Northeast In the end of September the young birds are trapped and caught for raring. Regular vigil by the trainers plays a predominant role to make the birds a good fighter. They feed only one variety of wild bananas with seeds, Keep the bird in a bamboo stand after tying the left leg by a cotton thread. To safe guard any injury they rap the leg with a thin cotton pad then tie the thread. They are bathed everyday. The birds become accustomed to only that food to eat and develop a visual instinct that this is the only food and such identical pieces of banana are used during fight. I met quite a Bulbul is a popular and common widely few people raring fighting birds. I am shardistributed wild bird in many countries of ing their words to the readers of the blog. the globe. In India they are protected by The birds are fed a mixture of some mediciIndian wild life protection act but in many nal plant seeds on the day of the fight. countries they are rared as a good pet. Bul- About 12 hours before the contest by a bul has got about 100 small bamboo spoon sub species in different forcefully they feed and Aashim Chatterjee colors. Assam and north there after no food only eastern region of India water is provided beis their very old home and they attracted cause of severe dryness of mouth is nothe eyes of Ahom King since the early sev- ticed in the birds. According to a lady of 80 enteenth century. The king brought them years, because of the effect of that stimufrom the flying sky to fighting arena for his lating paste, birds may die if proper attenrecreation in an auspicious day of a festi- tion is not given and plenty of water not val named Bhogali Bihu, the harvest festi- fed. val of Assam. The kings gave a religious The fights took place in front of huge value to the Bulbul fight and made it a cul- crowd, press and electronic Media. Direct ture of Assameese. What I feel is by giving telecast was arranged by the local chanthis value to bulbul sufficed a cause of two nels because all over the region it is a very folds. First to preserve them in nature and popular game. There were 2 sects particito set an example that for survival you are pating in this event namely Sonaritola and to fight/struggle. And the winner was al- Bhoralitola.A bird watcher can clearly noways rewarded as the wining bulbul gets tice the intoxicated state of the birds. Birds the reward. keep themselves fearless and quite in this Place of the fight was selected accord- huge croud.They do not try to run away ingly in the front of their god Haragrib from the crowd rather they pose in such a Madhabdeva temple. Situated close to Hajo fashion as though they have come to the just 45 Kms away from Guwahati. The old ground for a specific job. One to one fight temple is a rich example of sculpture and progress. The owner bring the hungry and constructional development of the kings. CNS toxin influenced bird in the ring and The huge pile of steps to climb at temple is tempt them by showing the same piece of a unique and methodical job done so far wild banana in the ring when they try to eat back in time. It was made in such a way that the ring master removes the food and the even in old age a man or lady can climb up both the bird think as if the other bird took to the temple eventually. The way I climbed. away its food and starts fighting. They fight In the walls of the temple sculptures of El- till out of two one become tired and thirsty ephant and lord Bisnu was predominant and gives up. The bird that persists long which indicate they use to give the el- he is the winner. There is limited cruelty as ephant the door of God. Assam has faced compared to cock fights or Bull fight. Loosmany earth quakes but the temple bears no ing bird are kept by the owner for few days mark of any destruction. The place of fight and thereafter makes them free in the sky. I was also well chosen, being surrounded saw one loosing bird to escape and fly by trees on all sides. away. Because of Bulbul fights the local popuWhole day the fight goes on till the last lation has come to love the bird. It is be- pair in the ring. I have seen the economical cause they know and see every year that status of the average people is poor. Peron the day of Bihu, people from all over the centage of literacy is low and to get a recountry come with press and electronic ward, the people keep themselves busy for media to highlight the place, people and 3 months with birds. Every year a large tradition. Some garner income by putting number of birds are taken out of their natuvarious stalls. Everybody will spend money. ral habitat. Will they not face extinction? The Bulbul fight is organized by the Even though the natives claim that after Temple committee. The chief guest for the fight they release the birds, I have every occasion was the local MLA this year and doubt that the birds survive after taking head man of the village was the anchor. the toxic herbal stimulant before 12/ Ring master were selected by the anchor. 16hours of fight. Other reason for death He was to run the fight one after another may be selected food habit for a long peand declare the winner and loser. A board riod of time. Even after release, in nature comprising of temple committee members where will they get the special variety of was to observer as a neutral jury. banana ready in front of their mouth? In From morning the fight starts under sun nature Bulbul is omnivorous. Fight for food after due inauguration by the chief guest. is universal instinct for everybody. But as Every bird prepared by their respective a whole it is surely a cruelty to our flying owners and made fearless to fight in that feather friends. huge crowd. Courtesy: The Aashim Chatterjee Blog
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Bhogali Bihu Preparation Grips Community in Nalbari District
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With a festive atmosphere of Magh bihu it gripped the community of the rural areas in Nalbari district.The community are very busy for the preperation of Bihu.It was witnessed that meji and bhelaghar are erected almost all the villages of the district. In some places the young people are still busy in collecting paddy straws, dry banana leafs and bamboo to make meji and bhelaghar. In some villages of the district the youth constructed attractive bhelaghars with paddy straw, bamboo and banana leaf as the replica of various items. The villagers of Dhekiabari constructed a large tortoise shape bhelaghar with a capacity to accommodate 50 children at a time. Similarly, the youths of Madhupur village of the district constructed a pure Assamese village with chora ghar, nangala, dheki, tatshal, dhol, pepa, dhaba among others.All are made of paddy straw and bamboo. The Belbari youths of the district also constructed a bhelaghar as the replica of two storied building. After all the youths of the district are in competition to make the bhelaghar more attractive. Worse still, in some villages the elders are taking this responsibility as the young generation are not interested to make meji and bhelaghar. Some people also get contract to make meji and bhelaghar. The community gave them an amount from Rs 1500 to Rs 2500 for the making of the meji. This is the actual scenario of most of the villages. Earlier the young boys of each of the village areas erect the meji and bhelaghar collecting paddy straw from one month ahead of Bhogali bihu. Now most of the young generation of the village areas are
also no more interested in engaging themselves to such community works. On the other hand the hike in prices of all essential commodities in the markets has failed to dampen the Bhogali bihu spirit among the people in Nalbari district. The state Government's act in releasing monthly salary to its employees and teachers at the earliest has helped the people in making Bihu preperations in advance. In some places, the villager have planned to arrange Uruka party in Bhelaghar unitedly with the neighbourhood. Despite the cold wave the women folk of the rural areas are busy in cleaning up their homes and preparing Bihu items. The rural women have already prepared different traditional pithas with rice powder viz til pitha, ghila pitha, chunga pitha, sandah to offer to their near and dear ones during Bihu. They have also prepare narikalar laddo, tilar laddo, mithair ladu etc.
Ramen Kalita
The sound of dheki still continues in the rural areas of Nalbari district and one can hear till midnight. However, the prices of essential commodities in the markets of Nalbari are also going up. In Nalbari, the shopkeepers are selling Joha rice at Rs 60 per kg,Bora rice at Rs 50 per kg, coconut at Rs 90 for a pair, till and mah at Rs 120 and Rs 80 per kg respectively. Worse still, the meat and fish prices are going up and it is expected the prices of these two items will go out of control during the day of Uruka as the district administration has not taken any step to fix its prices.
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Mouth watering dishes to try this Bihu
Eggless Almond and Cashew Cake
Beauty Lekharu Saikia
Ingredients 1/2 cup maida 1/4 cup cashew powder (grind cashews in a mixer) 1/4 cup almond powder 1/4 cup sugar 3 tsp ghee A pinch of cardamom powder 1/2 cup milk A pinch of grated coconut (dry) 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp baking powder Method Preheat the oven to 350 degree F.
Grease the baking pan and apply some ghee. Use parchment or wax paper to cover the bottom and sides of the pan and keep it aside. Take a bowl and mix cashew powder, almond powder,maida, baking soda, baking powder and cardamom powder. In another bowl, add ghee and whisk till its
fluffy (should take less than a minute). Add sugar and blend again. Mix the contents of the two bowls and transfer them to a pan. Add a pinch of maida to grated coconut and and sprinkle it on top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes and broil for less than a minute.
Thai Duck Curry Ingredients Duck Meat( without skin) - 1 kilo Oil 2 tbsp Coconut Milk 800gm Spring Onion 3 2 Chillies Garlic 3 pods Ginger ½ inch 4 Lemon Leaf Lemon grass Coriander leaf ½ bundle Cumin Powder 1 tbsp Coriander Powder 1 tbsp Basil leaf Sugar Fish Sauce 2 tbsp Method: Make a paste of using spring onion, garlic, ginger, lemon leaf,lemon grass,coriander leaf, coriander powder and cumin powder.
Bhogali Treat
sugar and fish sauce to it and heat it for 10 mins. After this add the duck meat and fry for another 10 minutes Heat oil in a pan and fry the paste till till the meat cooks. Now serve the oil oozes out of it.Next add the coco- curry in a bowl by garnishing it with nut milk and bring it to boil. Also add basil and coriander leaf.
Joy of Rongali, Scarcity of Kongali, feast of Bhogali We the Assamese, enjoy them heartily All are special, no questions on racial Every Assamese understand their importance Whether the festival or any of its customs social. Speciality of Bhogali, binds every man The whole village folk, unity they show All the young and old, the whole men folk Work day and night to build up bhelaghar Of different designs, variety of shapes and sizes Which would accommodate all to have a great feast time. Sweet harvest, stored in the granaries Ready to spread their exuberance By filling every appetite and killing every strife Result of toiling effort, their regular summer life Lady of the house, become the queen of kitchen Show the magic of her hands with pithas that sweeten The life of every man Lighting of the Meiji, to burn out every evil To brighten every life and sacred belief to reveal The entry of Bhogali is an welcoming indication to Rongali Which sets an alarm, to wake us up for that charm Never to forget but ever to celebrate With heart and soul, until we breathe till death
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Feminine Makeup- A Simple Step By Step Tutorial Feminine Look - An Overview: The facial features of a woman are much softer than that of a man. Feminine makeup is thus for those women who have high levels of oestrogen, which gives certain definitions on the face quite a manly touch. Feminine makeup is used at shows, theatres and plays, where men doll up as women to portray a look or a role. And yes, of course, being in full solidarity with the male-to-female transgender communities across the world, feminine makeup is used by our trans brothers and sisters to enhance a certain look. ØTo make the face a demi-goddess feminine canvas ØTo use the right primer, tinted moisturizer, a foundation, concealer and translucent powders ØTo have an overall natural finish on the face ØPaying good attention to the eyes Ø Knowing which eyeshadow colours would be the best for eye makeup emphasis ØKnowing how to use mascara well ØBringing about the pouty look with hot lips The right use of highlighters, bronzers and blush Tutorial On Getting An Ultra-Feminine Look With Makeup: Get ready to embrace the power of being ultra-feminine and enhancing your contours and face with the feminine look!
colours we could recommend for the feminine touch and to add a little colour to the cheeks. The main focus areas to contour with the blush would be the temples and the cheekbones. 3. To have an even look all over the face, you may choose to dab a little blush near the eyes as well, which brings about a defined and a look colour so graceful. The lid corners should be given a smokey-dark touch with the blush.
1. Choose a foundation closest to your skin tone for the face - do a patch test on the wrist to know the same. It should have a warm-velvety tone, and for a creamy look,
use a serum along with the foundation you choose, which keeps the skin moistened and hydrated too. 2. Pink and peaches are the best blush
The fighting bird bulbul Game hunting or game fighting, be it birds or animals is not new to Assam. The tradition, especially on eve of festivals ,has been in vogue since the days of the Ahom kings. Cock fight and buffalo fights were held during Magh Bihu. At the Ranghar premises at Sivasagar for the entertainment of the Ahom monarchs. The Swargadeu himself took pleasure to reward the owner of the animals and birds. Cock fighting later spread to other parts
The Bulbul or pai canonotus ketare is a small and beautiful bird. Although the origin of this unique and popular item of folk culture is hard to trace it is believed that the Koch king Maharaj Naranarayan started the tradition. But no authentic documents are available to support this.Others have it that the Doloi of the Haigriva Madhav temple of Hajo one day saw two bulbuls fighting in the temple premises which inspired him to start such fights solely for entertainment which in course of time has become a popular sport. Great enthusiasm prevails among the village folks a month ahead of Magh bihu. About 10 to 15 days of training is needed to prepare the birds
Assam celebrates Magh Bihu - The harvest festival Jahnabi Pachani
Ramen Kalita of the state.Like Sivasagar,the small town Hajo in Kamrup district too has its own tradition.Not very far from the capital Guwahati, Hajo is famous for its religious and cultural harmony.However,it is for a very different reason that pulls the crowd to Hajo during festivities. Bulbli Charair jooz, as is commonly known, draws thousands to this otherwise sleepy town during Magh Bihu. Villagers took delight in holding fights of common Indian bulbous, a tradition Hajo is proud of. Crowds throng to Hajo to witness the unique bulbuli fight traditionally held on the day of Magh Bihu.
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for the fight. Villagers converge on the nearby Manikut hill,Garurachal hill and Suryapahar area in the wee hours to trap the birds. 'We use three kinds of traps which are locally called chak phand,guri phand and gas phand to catch the birds. The small birds are the easy prey', one Rubul Nayak said. The guri phand is more effective to catch the birds,he added. Nayak further stated that a family catch about 20 to 30 birds. However,all bulbul are not capable to fight. The weaker are released immediately.' We thoroughly observe the birds during the training and find out the fighter birds among them. 'The woman folks of the village take care the fighter birds offering ripe banana,milk,sweet regularly. Their children also love them very much.'' My daughter was so grief stricken she refused to take food for a couple of days when they released the birds after fight'' a woman of Bharalitola supa lamented. The Bulbul fight is held at the premises of Haigriva Madhav temple between two groups Bharalitola and Sonaritola.In the morning the
members of both the groups after burning the meji take the fighters to the temple premises. A small stage is erected to show the traditional fight of bulbuls.It should be noted here that, on the night of Uruka a special bhog is prepared by the leaders of the both groups desperately mixing intoxicant and offer the bhog to the birds. The intoxicant make the birds hungry and furious. A ripe banana is keep at the centre of the stage during the fight.When the birds start to eat the banana, on of the leaders pick it up. The hungry birds become more furious losing their food and started to attack each other. The bird which defeat more birds become the winner.However after the game is over they released all the captive birds without any harm. Following the judgment of the Gauhati High Court the bulbul fight of Hajo has been stopped since last year. The final judgment in this regard will be delivered by the High Court on January 20 next as the Haigriv Madha temple committee appealed the Court allowing to continue the tradition
Celebrations for Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu, the harvest festival, have begun today with community feasts and prayers. People begin celebrations by erecting hut-like 'Mejis' or 'Bhelaghars' with bamboo, hay and dry leaves. As the name 'Bhogali' suggests feasting, this Bihu is a celebration of food after a good harvest and a variety of sweets are prepared from rice, coconut and til. On the 'Uruka' night, community feasts are arranged by people preparing local delicacies with fish and meat inside the 'Mejis'. The Magh Bihu festival marks the end of the harvest season. This is the time when the hard working farmers of the State sit down to reap the benefits of their labour. On the day after the 'Uruka', 'Mejis' are set ablaze at the crack of dawn amid prayers appealing to the fire god not to cause destruction during the coming summer months. After the burning of 'Mejis', people sit down to enjoy their fill of traditional Assamese food. In the villages, people also witness bullfights and bird fights. Amid the enchanting notes of flutes and buffalo horns, the youths sing the Bihu songs with lyrics of a good harvest. The spirit of the Bihu festivities and celebrations has gripped the State a week ahead of the occasion with people going to their native places to celebrate it with their near and dear ones. Respects are paid to the elders with gamochas and greetings exchanged among relatives and friends. The Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu festival is an occasion when all differences are forgotten and people unite to celebrate the occasion in a pompous manner.
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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, JANUARY 14
Maghar Domahi Bihu exponent.
Amarjyoti Borah
The festival is marked by feasts and bonfires. Young people erect makeshift huts, known as meji, from bamboo, leaves and thatch, in which they eat the food prepared for the feast, and then burn the huts the next morning. The celebrations also feature traditional Assamese games such as tekeli bhonga (pot-breaking) and buffalo fighting. With multiple tribes and sub-tribes spicing up the potpourri that is Magh or Bhogali Bihu, the harvest festival has long been a sociologists' delight. Each community within the state has its own rituals, songs, dances, cuisines and offerings to mark the event. They even have their own traditional alcoholic beverages to get drunk on. Bihu goes by the name Bishu or Harali among the Dimasas of Dima Hasao district. It is a confluence of both the harvest and the spring versions of Bihu. Traditionally, Bishu would be celebrated for seven days and seven nights and the traditional 'meji' or 'bhela ghar' would represent seven houses.
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The men play the flute and women dance with traditional plates during the harvest festival. Dimasas consume 'jumai' or traditional rice beer and consume fish and meat, especially pork, to celebrate, said Upen Rabha Hakacham, professor of Assamese at Gauhati University and a
"This is uniform among all communities residing in lower Assam, be it the Assamese, the Bodos, the Rabhas or the Rajbongshis," Hakacham added. The number of rituals and their diversity is often mind-boggling. While the Karbi plains community, like the Rabhas, offers pigs and roosters as sacrifice during Bhogali Bihu, the Tiwas consider the traditional ox or buffalo fight to be intrinsic to their Bihu celebrations. The Rajbongshis, Rabhas and the Dimasas regard the burning of the meji as the funeral pyre of the legendary Bheesma. "Magh Bihu symbolizes harvest for tribal and non-tribal communities in Assam. The approach to the festivities differs from one community to another and contributes to its appeal," explained cultural exponent Anil Saikia. Though this festival is primarily observed in the rural areas, Bhogali Bihu is also celebrated in the urban areas with community feasts at different localities and also ’mejis’ in some open places and on river banks.
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The spirit of the Bihu festivities and celebrations grips the state a week ahead of the occasion with people going to their native places to celebrate Bihu with their near and dear ones. The capital city, Guwahati, wears a deserted look with a large floating population making the journey homeward to the districts to celebrate Bihu.
Very Happy Magh Bihu
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Magh Bihu, also called Bhogali Bihu (Bihu of enjoyment) or Maghar Domahi is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, India, which marks the end of harvesting season in the month of Maagha (January–February). It is the Assam celebration of Sankranthi, with feasting lasting for a week.
Cut to lower Assam, and Bihu celebrations take on a different hue. Here, Bihu is called Dumahi, Dumasi, Dumsi and Pushna by the Rabha, Bodo, Rajbongshi and Hajong communities, respectively, and the focus is on the ritual worship of cows. Cattle is smeared with 'ghimsu', a special concoction comprising extracts of the 'ekora' tree and the oil and ash collected from the burning meji. The cows are then let loose for three months.