Assamese community at Perth celebrates Rongali Bihu
From a Correspondent
JORHAT, April 24: The Assamese community of Perth, Western Australia celebrated Rongali Bihu this year with great enthusiasm and fervour on Saturday at the Lynwood Wandarrah Hall (City of Canning). The event started with the invitation of guests and acknowledging the traditiol owners of the land ‘The Noongar People’ by the general secretary Papori Barua.
The cultural programme started with a performance of a Jyoti Sangeet (Mure Bharotore) by the Assam ensemble comprising members of the Assamese community followed by Aparajita Baruah from Jorhat presenting a graceful Xatriya dance performance. Odisha and Bengal community members presented dance and music items.
Chief guests for the evening, Peter Abetz, MLA, Southern River, representating the Minister of Citizenship and Multicultural interests, Paul Ng, Mayor Cannington City, Amit Mishra - Consul General of India and Dr Jennie Conughton, Director CINI (Child in Need, India) Australia were felicitated by Dr Apar Kahali Baruah, president of the Association.
Dr Pranjal Bora, cultural convener of the Association and coorditor of the cultural programme, while talking to The Sentinel said, “The Rangdhali Dance Troupe (Papori Barua, Sanghamitra Bora Kanojia, Syeda Sabiha Hoque, Rebecca Swift, Sangeeta Barooah, Saswati Banerjee) performed a scintillating Bihu dance. The other highlight of the evening was the Open Bihu celebration where Papori Barua enthralled the audience with catchy Bihu songs supported on dhol by Dr Pranjal Bora and on tal by Ujjal Bora. The audience joined in the celebration and added to the delight of the great Rongali Bihu tradition. The masters of ceremonies for the event were Aadi Singh, Adi Baruah and Nishtha Vashith. Funds and expenses for the event were maged by Himankar Barooah, treasurer of the Association”.
The community members decorated the event hall with posters and photographs showcasing Assam’s rich cultural heritage. A fashion show highlighting the colourful costumes of Assam was presented. Costumes presented were saapkon, dhoti, Paguri (turban), Assamese bridal wear, Assamese traditiol wear and children costumes.
Bristi Barkataki, Dr Rajat Ganguly, Lokesh Kalra, Dr Apar Kahali Barua and Papori Baruah presented a well-selected repertoire of popular Assamese and Hindi Songs. Skanda and Dr Margaret Gollagher (on keyboards), Adolphus D’Silva (on Bass), Ujjal Bora (on drums) and Dr Pranjal Bora (on guitars) supported the performances. A stand-up comedy by Harish Tiwari was also well received. Later the event culmited with a delicious dinner prepared by Syed Taanver Alim followed by a vote of thanks from the vice president Yudhisther Singh.
