Polls over, State ushers in Rongali Bihu

With electioneering cutting into preparations, Bihu organizers cut budgets

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, April 12: With the noisy, bitterly contested assembly elections drawing to a close on Monday, the State is gearing up to usher Rongali Bihu. However, the elections have had a dampening effect on Bihu organizing committees this time. With electioneering and Bihu preparations coinciding, the organizers hardly got any time to raise funds for Bihu functions. As a result, compared to last year, the budgets of all major Bihu committees in Guwahati have witnessed a dip this year.

The Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani, where Bihu was first staged in the State, will kick off tomorrow with a four-day long programme. This year their budget is Rs 20 lakh. The main attraction of its Bihu function will be the confluence of various ethnic groups under the Bihuwan. The main attractions of the cultural programme are Zubeen Garg, Rupam Talukdar and Indira PP Bora among others.

The Kharghuli Rongali Bihu Sanmilani has a budget of Rs 18 lakh this year. Zubeen, hid and Zublee are set to perform here. It may be mentioned that this year, music sensation Zubeen Garg and Zublee are not performing together. Zublee will be seen alone this time, whereas Zubeen Garg will be accompanied on stage by new comer Hritisha.

The Pub Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani, which landed into controversy after leading issuance of Bihu dress code, has a budget of Rs 16 lakh this year. They too have a four-day long agenda starting tomorrow. The main attractions of the cultural night include Mousumi Saharia, Dikshu, Mash Robin and Simanta Shekhar.

The New Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani has a budget of Rs 10 lakh. Starting tomorrow, they too have a four-day long programme. Singer Bhitali and Dikshu are set to perform here.

The Noonmati Bihu Sanmilani on the other hand has a budget of Rs 9 lakh. They have a three-day agenda starting tomorrow. Mash Robin, Babu and Dikshu are among the leading artistes slated to perform here.

The Brihottor Kahilipara Rongali Bihu Sanmilan has earmarked a budget of Rs 8 lakh this year. Here Bipin Chaodang, Babu, Alankrita and Rupankrita will enthrall the crowd.

Likewise, the Brihottor Japorigog Bihu Sanmilani has a budget of 8 lakh this year. Dikshu and Priyanka Bharali will perform here. They have a three-day programme starting tomorrow.

With a budget of Rs 8 lakh, the Ulubari Bihu Sanmilani which will start tomorrow and culmite on April 16 has not invited any glamour artists. Keeping up their tradition, this Bihu has decided to encourage local youngsters to perform on stage.