Bihu: The Rhythm of Assam’s Seasons, Soil, and Soul

Sattriya Dance Performance during Rongali Bihu Festival @ Indira Gandhi national Center of Arts (organized by Assam Association, Delhi on 24th April 2011) : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Sattriya Dance performances is one of the main highlight of Rogali Bihu Festival at IGNCA, Delhi ! And this performance was full of expressions and it seems these songs were telling some story which dancer was enacting through her steps !!! Let's have a look at some of the photographs from Sattriya performance on 24th April, 2011 with relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical Dance !!!Sattriya Nritya is one among eight principal classical Indian dance traditions. Whereas some of the other traditions have been revived in the recent past, Sattriya has remained a living tradition since its creation by the Assamese Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in 15th century AssamSankardeva created Sattriya Nritya as an accompaniment to the Ankiya Naat (a form of Assamese one-act plays devisdby him), which were usually performed in the sattras, as Assam's monasteries are called. As the tradition developed and grew within the sattras, the dance form came to be called Sattriya Nritya.The name 'Sattriya' has been derived from the word 'Sattra' which are religious Institutes set up by the Vishnava Saint Shrimanta Shankardev for preserving and propagation of tradition, culture and religion. It was coined centuries after and represents all that the Saint had created, which brought about a Socio-cultural Renaissance in the Assam Valley of INDIA !!!The Sattra style was evolved when Shankaradeva, a great artist and musician in himself composed 'Ankiya Bhaona' or 'Ankiya-Nat' (dance-dramas), devotional music- 'Borgeet', and the four sacred texts - “Kirtan', 'Dasam' 'Ghosa', 'Ratnavali' (the last two composed by Madhavdev). A School of Philosophical Learning emerged and a deeper understanding of life through the simple path of devotion brought one and all to the fold...Actually Sattriya dance of Assam is aclassical form of dance which is highly devotional in character with the spiritual aspect being predominant all through !!!This Dance form of Sattriya is like many of the other Classical Dance forms of India which has been extracted from a larger body of theatrical practices that constitute the Ankiya Bhaona form. References of this dance form can be found in the ancient Indian classical texts like the Natyashastra, the Kalikapurana, the Yoginitantra, and the Abhinayadarpana apart from many sculptures, and historical relicsThe musical Instruments that accompany a performance are the khols or the drums, the taals or the cymbals, the flute and the violin. Even though Sattriya dance is performed by bhokots or the male monks traditionally in monasteries...The popular forms of the Sattriya dance are Apsara Nritya, Behar Nritya, Chali Nritya, Dasavatara Nritya, Gosai Prabesh, Nadu Bhangi, Manchok Nritya, Bar prabesha, Gopi Pravesha, Rasa Nritya, Rajaghariya Chali Nritya, and Sutradhara.While I was searching throuh all relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical dance, I found a link where I saw the same artis.. Please have a look and she really looks the same. Isn't it? - http://www.mridusattriya.com/satt_dance.htmlThe Sattriya dance can be classified into two styles namely Paurashik Bhangi that is Tandav or masculine style and Shtri bhangi which is Lasya or feminine style !!!This was one of the interesting performance of the evening at Rogali Bihu Festival although colorful lighting spoiled my lot of photographs... I will be sharing some colorful shots of Sattriya Dance soon !!!Now I know another Indian Classical Dance form and loved the expressions of performer here !!!

There are festivals you celebrate. And then there are festivals that breathe with the land itself.

In Assam, Bihu is not just a festival—it is a living rhythm, echoing through paddy fields, riverbanks, homes, and hearts. It carries within it the story of seasons, the pulse of agriculture, and the timeless bond between people and nature.

To understand Bihu is to understand Assam.

Sattriya Dance Performance during Rongali Bihu Festival @ Indira Gandhi national Center of Arts (organized by Assam Association, Delhi on 24th April 2011) : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Sattriya Dance performances is one of the main highlight of Rogali Bihu Festival at IGNCA, Delhi ! And this performance was full of expressions and it seems these songs were telling some story which dancer was enacting through her steps !!! Let's have a look at some of the photographs from Sattriya performance on 24th April, 2011 with relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical Dance !!!Sattriya Nritya is one among eight principal classical Indian dance traditions. Whereas some of the other traditions have been revived in the recent past, Sattriya has remained a living tradition since its creation by the Assamese Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in 15th century AssamSankardeva created Sattriya Nritya as an accompaniment to the Ankiya Naat (a form of Assamese one-act plays devisdby him), which were usually performed in the sattras, as Assam's monasteries are called. As the tradition developed and grew within the sattras, the dance form came to be called Sattriya Nritya.The name 'Sattriya' has been derived from the word 'Sattra' which are religious Institutes set up by the Vishnava Saint Shrimanta Shankardev for preserving and propagation of tradition, culture and religion. It was coined centuries after and represents all that the Saint had created, which brought about a Socio-cultural Renaissance in the Assam Valley of INDIA !!!The Sattra style was evolved when Shankaradeva, a great artist and musician in himself composed 'Ankiya Bhaona' or 'Ankiya-Nat' (dance-dramas), devotional music- 'Borgeet', and the four sacred texts - “Kirtan', 'Dasam' 'Ghosa', 'Ratnavali' (the last two composed by Madhavdev). A School of Philosophical Learning emerged and a deeper understanding of life through the simple path of devotion brought one and all to the fold...Actually Sattriya dance of Assam is aclassical form of dance which is highly devotional in character with the spiritual aspect being predominant all through !!!This Dance form of Sattriya is like many of the other Classical Dance forms of India which has been extracted from a larger body of theatrical practices that constitute the Ankiya Bhaona form. References of this dance form can be found in the ancient Indian classical texts like the Natyashastra, the Kalikapurana, the Yoginitantra, and the Abhinayadarpana apart from many sculptures, and historical relicsThe musical Instruments that accompany a performance are the khols or the drums, the taals or the cymbals, the flute and the violin. Even though Sattriya dance is performed by bhokots or the male monks traditionally in monasteries...The popular forms of the Sattriya dance are Apsara Nritya, Behar Nritya, Chali Nritya, Dasavatara Nritya, Gosai Prabesh, Nadu Bhangi, Manchok Nritya, Bar prabesha, Gopi Pravesha, Rasa Nritya, Rajaghariya Chali Nritya, and Sutradhara.While I was searching throuh all relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical dance, I found a link where I saw the same artis.. Please have a look and she really looks the same. Isn't it? - http://www.mridusattriya.com/satt_dance.htmlThe Sattriya dance can be classified into two styles namely Paurashik Bhangi that is Tandav or masculine style and Shtri bhangi which is Lasya or feminine style !!!This was one of the interesting performance of the evening at Rogali Bihu Festival although colorful lighting spoiled my lot of photographs... I will be sharing some colorful shots of Sattriya Dance soon !!!Now I know another Indian Classical Dance form and loved the expressions of performer here !!!

What is Bihu?

Bihu is not a single festival, but a cycle of three celebrations, each marking a significant phase in the agricultural calendar:

  • Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) – The festival of spring and new beginnings
  • Bhogali Bihu (Magh Bihu) – The festival of harvest and abundance
  • Kongali Bihu (Kati Bihu) – The festival of quiet prayer and hope

A Marvelous dance performance by troop of lovely school children on Bihu songs @ Rogali Bihu Festival at Indira Gandhi National Center of Art (24th April, 2011) : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Recently I witnessed Rogali Bihu Festival at Indira Gandhi National Center of Art which was organized Assam Organization, Delhi !!! among various Bihu performances, these children presented a shining dance performance with cute expressions at each step... Check Out !!!Smallest girl in the troop and was leading one side of the sub-group on stage.. She was really enjoying dance with amazing expressions on her face and I assume expressions were changing as per the lyrics of the song !!! I am not sure because I could not understand Assamese...While other performances were going on the stage, these kids were roaming around the stage and it seemed that limit of their wait has crossed !!!Enthusiasm of all the kids was unmatchable and till the end they were like that only !!!If I am not missing anything, there were only two boys surrounded by all the girls !!! During the end part, a boy dressed up as old man entered and performance finished after some conversations between the lead person on the stage and the old man !!!These children look so pretty in Assamese sari's. This girl's smile reminds me of Vayjanthimala.Cute group of School children performing Bihu dance in sync @ Rongali Bihu Festival in Delhi, INDIA !!For such a sustained and consistent performance, these children would have had to go through several hours of practice. Kudos to them and their teachers for the achievement.Somehow synchronization is always a challenge with child dancers but that adds to the innocense of it all.Some steps were fairly complicated but the children were obviously enjoying themselves to the core.It was all done with the intention of having fun as well as performing for an audience.Saris were similar yet not the same. Some performers were obviously younger than the others. Yet age did not seem to make much difference to the quality of performances.Expressions were mature and could very well have been used in a drama. I don't know what the song was saying but it was easy to make out the gist from the expressions of these dancers cum actors.This seems to be a common step in this form of dance. Almost all performances included this.Highly enthusiastic and energetic performance by children. They were the life of the party.I hope these children keep performing and help in keeping the traditional dances alive. Preserving culture is very important. It is what gives each community its unique identity.

Together, they form a complete narrative of rural life—from sowing to harvesting to waiting again.

Unlike many festivals defined by religious boundaries, Bihu is deeply rooted in land, labor, and life itself, making it one of the most inclusive and organic celebrations in India.

Sattriya Dance Performance during Rongali Bihu Festival @ Indira Gandhi national Center of Arts (organized by Assam Association, Delhi on 24th April 2011) : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Sattriya Dance performances is one of the main highlight of Rogali Bihu Festival at IGNCA, Delhi ! And this performance was full of expressions and it seems these songs were telling some story which dancer was enacting through her steps !!! Let's have a look at some of the photographs from Sattriya performance on 24th April, 2011 with relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical Dance !!!Sattriya Nritya is one among eight principal classical Indian dance traditions. Whereas some of the other traditions have been revived in the recent past, Sattriya has remained a living tradition since its creation by the Assamese Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in 15th century AssamSankardeva created Sattriya Nritya as an accompaniment to the Ankiya Naat (a form of Assamese one-act plays devisdby him), which were usually performed in the sattras, as Assam's monasteries are called. As the tradition developed and grew within the sattras, the dance form came to be called Sattriya Nritya.The name 'Sattriya' has been derived from the word 'Sattra' which are religious Institutes set up by the Vishnava Saint Shrimanta Shankardev for preserving and propagation of tradition, culture and religion. It was coined centuries after and represents all that the Saint had created, which brought about a Socio-cultural Renaissance in the Assam Valley of INDIA !!!The Sattra style was evolved when Shankaradeva, a great artist and musician in himself composed 'Ankiya Bhaona' or 'Ankiya-Nat' (dance-dramas), devotional music- 'Borgeet', and the four sacred texts - “Kirtan', 'Dasam' 'Ghosa', 'Ratnavali' (the last two composed by Madhavdev). A School of Philosophical Learning emerged and a deeper understanding of life through the simple path of devotion brought one and all to the fold...Actually Sattriya dance of Assam is aclassical form of dance which is highly devotional in character with the spiritual aspect being predominant all through !!!This Dance form of Sattriya is like many of the other Classical Dance forms of India which has been extracted from a larger body of theatrical practices that constitute the Ankiya Bhaona form. References of this dance form can be found in the ancient Indian classical texts like the Natyashastra, the Kalikapurana, the Yoginitantra, and the Abhinayadarpana apart from many sculptures, and historical relicsThe musical Instruments that accompany a performance are the khols or the drums, the taals or the cymbals, the flute and the violin. Even though Sattriya dance is performed by bhokots or the male monks traditionally in monasteries...The popular forms of the Sattriya dance are Apsara Nritya, Behar Nritya, Chali Nritya, Dasavatara Nritya, Gosai Prabesh, Nadu Bhangi, Manchok Nritya, Bar prabesha, Gopi Pravesha, Rasa Nritya, Rajaghariya Chali Nritya, and Sutradhara.While I was searching throuh all relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical dance, I found a link where I saw the same artis.. Please have a look and she really looks the same. Isn't it? - http://www.mridusattriya.com/satt_dance.htmlThe Sattriya dance can be classified into two styles namely Paurashik Bhangi that is Tandav or masculine style and Shtri bhangi which is Lasya or feminine style !!!This was one of the interesting performance of the evening at Rogali Bihu Festival although colorful lighting spoiled my lot of photographs... I will be sharing some colorful shots of Sattriya Dance soon !!!Now I know another Indian Classical Dance form and loved the expressions of performer here !!!

The Origins: A Festival Rooted in the Soil

Bihu’s origins stretch far back into time, long before modern identities were formed.

It emerged from the agrarian traditions of the Brahmaputra Valley, shaped by generations of indigenous communities. Over time, it absorbed influences from different cultures and communities, evolving into a shared celebration that transcends caste, religion, and ethnicity.

A Marvelous dance performance by troop of lovely school children on Bihu songs @ Rogali Bihu Festival at Indira Gandhi National Center of Art (24th April, 2011) : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Recently I witnessed Rogali Bihu Festival at Indira Gandhi National Center of Art which was organized Assam Organization, Delhi !!! among various Bihu performances, these children presented a shining dance performance with cute expressions at each step... Check Out !!!Smallest girl in the troop and was leading one side of the sub-group on stage.. She was really enjoying dance with amazing expressions on her face and I assume expressions were changing as per the lyrics of the song !!! I am not sure because I could not understand Assamese...While other performances were going on the stage, these kids were roaming around the stage and it seemed that limit of their wait has crossed !!!Enthusiasm of all the kids was unmatchable and till the end they were like that only !!!If I am not missing anything, there were only two boys surrounded by all the girls !!! During the end part, a boy dressed up as old man entered and performance finished after some conversations between the lead person on the stage and the old man !!!These children look so pretty in Assamese sari's. This girl's smile reminds me of Vayjanthimala.Cute group of School children performing Bihu dance in sync @ Rongali Bihu Festival in Delhi, INDIA !!For such a sustained and consistent performance, these children would have had to go through several hours of practice. Kudos to them and their teachers for the achievement.Somehow synchronization is always a challenge with child dancers but that adds to the innocense of it all.Some steps were fairly complicated but the children were obviously enjoying themselves to the core.It was all done with the intention of having fun as well as performing for an audience.Saris were similar yet not the same. Some performers were obviously younger than the others. Yet age did not seem to make much difference to the quality of performances.Expressions were mature and could very well have been used in a drama. I don't know what the song was saying but it was easy to make out the gist from the expressions of these dancers cum actors.This seems to be a common step in this form of dance. Almost all performances included this.Highly enthusiastic and energetic performance by children. They were the life of the party.I hope these children keep performing and help in keeping the traditional dances alive. Preserving culture is very important. It is what gives each community its unique identity.

At its heart, Bihu has always been about:

  • The fertility of land
  • The rhythm of seasons
  • The celebration of life through nature

It belongs to everyone—and that is its greatest strength.

Sattriya Dance Performance during Rongali Bihu Festival @ Indira Gandhi national Center of Arts (organized by Assam Association, Delhi on 24th April 2011) : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Sattriya Dance performances is one of the main highlight of Rogali Bihu Festival at IGNCA, Delhi ! And this performance was full of expressions and it seems these songs were telling some story which dancer was enacting through her steps !!! Let's have a look at some of the photographs from Sattriya performance on 24th April, 2011 with relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical Dance !!!Sattriya Nritya is one among eight principal classical Indian dance traditions. Whereas some of the other traditions have been revived in the recent past, Sattriya has remained a living tradition since its creation by the Assamese Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in 15th century AssamSankardeva created Sattriya Nritya as an accompaniment to the Ankiya Naat (a form of Assamese one-act plays devisdby him), which were usually performed in the sattras, as Assam's monasteries are called. As the tradition developed and grew within the sattras, the dance form came to be called Sattriya Nritya.The name 'Sattriya' has been derived from the word 'Sattra' which are religious Institutes set up by the Vishnava Saint Shrimanta Shankardev for preserving and propagation of tradition, culture and religion. It was coined centuries after and represents all that the Saint had created, which brought about a Socio-cultural Renaissance in the Assam Valley of INDIA !!!The Sattra style was evolved when Shankaradeva, a great artist and musician in himself composed 'Ankiya Bhaona' or 'Ankiya-Nat' (dance-dramas), devotional music- 'Borgeet', and the four sacred texts - “Kirtan', 'Dasam' 'Ghosa', 'Ratnavali' (the last two composed by Madhavdev). A School of Philosophical Learning emerged and a deeper understanding of life through the simple path of devotion brought one and all to the fold...Actually Sattriya dance of Assam is aclassical form of dance which is highly devotional in character with the spiritual aspect being predominant all through !!!This Dance form of Sattriya is like many of the other Classical Dance forms of India which has been extracted from a larger body of theatrical practices that constitute the Ankiya Bhaona form. References of this dance form can be found in the ancient Indian classical texts like the Natyashastra, the Kalikapurana, the Yoginitantra, and the Abhinayadarpana apart from many sculptures, and historical relicsThe musical Instruments that accompany a performance are the khols or the drums, the taals or the cymbals, the flute and the violin. Even though Sattriya dance is performed by bhokots or the male monks traditionally in monasteries...The popular forms of the Sattriya dance are Apsara Nritya, Behar Nritya, Chali Nritya, Dasavatara Nritya, Gosai Prabesh, Nadu Bhangi, Manchok Nritya, Bar prabesha, Gopi Pravesha, Rasa Nritya, Rajaghariya Chali Nritya, and Sutradhara.While I was searching throuh all relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical dance, I found a link where I saw the same artis.. Please have a look and she really looks the same. Isn't it? - http://www.mridusattriya.com/satt_dance.htmlThe Sattriya dance can be classified into two styles namely Paurashik Bhangi that is Tandav or masculine style and Shtri bhangi which is Lasya or feminine style !!!This was one of the interesting performance of the evening at Rogali Bihu Festival although colorful lighting spoiled my lot of photographs... I will be sharing some colorful shots of Sattriya Dance soon !!!Now I know another Indian Classical Dance form and loved the expressions of performer here !!!

The Three Faces of Bihu

🌸 Rongali Bihu: The Festival of Spring and New Beginnings

Celebrated in mid-April, Rongali Bihu marks the Assamese New Year and the arrival of spring.

This is the most vibrant and widely celebrated Bihu—filled with color, music, and youthful energy.

A Marvelous dance performance by troop of lovely school children on Bihu songs @ Rogali Bihu Festival at Indira Gandhi National Center of Art (24th April, 2011) : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Recently I witnessed Rogali Bihu Festival at Indira Gandhi National Center of Art which was organized Assam Organization, Delhi !!! among various Bihu performances, these children presented a shining dance performance with cute expressions at each step... Check Out !!!Smallest girl in the troop and was leading one side of the sub-group on stage.. She was really enjoying dance with amazing expressions on her face and I assume expressions were changing as per the lyrics of the song !!! I am not sure because I could not understand Assamese...While other performances were going on the stage, these kids were roaming around the stage and it seemed that limit of their wait has crossed !!!Enthusiasm of all the kids was unmatchable and till the end they were like that only !!!If I am not missing anything, there were only two boys surrounded by all the girls !!! During the end part, a boy dressed up as old man entered and performance finished after some conversations between the lead person on the stage and the old man !!!These children look so pretty in Assamese sari's. This girl's smile reminds me of Vayjanthimala.Cute group of School children performing Bihu dance in sync @ Rongali Bihu Festival in Delhi, INDIA !!For such a sustained and consistent performance, these children would have had to go through several hours of practice. Kudos to them and their teachers for the achievement.Somehow synchronization is always a challenge with child dancers but that adds to the innocense of it all.Some steps were fairly complicated but the children were obviously enjoying themselves to the core.It was all done with the intention of having fun as well as performing for an audience.Saris were similar yet not the same. Some performers were obviously younger than the others. Yet age did not seem to make much difference to the quality of performances.Expressions were mature and could very well have been used in a drama. I don't know what the song was saying but it was easy to make out the gist from the expressions of these dancers cum actors.This seems to be a common step in this form of dance. Almost all performances included this.Highly enthusiastic and energetic performance by children. They were the life of the party.I hope these children keep performing and help in keeping the traditional dances alive. Preserving culture is very important. It is what gives each community its unique identity.

The festival unfolds over several days, each with its own significance:

  • Goru Bihu – Cattle are bathed, adorned, and honored
  • Manuh Bihu – People wear new clothes and exchange greetings
  • Gosain Bihu – Prayers are offered for prosperity
  • Kutum Bihu – Families and friends visit one another
  • Mela Bihu – Community fairs and cultural gatherings

At the center of it all is the iconic Bihu dance.

Performed in open fields and village courtyards, it is energetic, expressive, and deeply rooted in tradition. The rhythmic beats of the dhol, the sharp notes of the pepa, and the graceful movements of dancers create an atmosphere that feels almost elemental.

Historically, Bihu dance also served as a form of courtship, where young men and women expressed affection through music and movement.

Sattriya Dance Performance during Rongali Bihu Festival @ Indira Gandhi national Center of Arts (organized by Assam Association, Delhi on 24th April 2011) : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Sattriya Dance performances is one of the main highlight of Rogali Bihu Festival at IGNCA, Delhi ! And this performance was full of expressions and it seems these songs were telling some story which dancer was enacting through her steps !!! Let's have a look at some of the photographs from Sattriya performance on 24th April, 2011 with relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical Dance !!!Sattriya Nritya is one among eight principal classical Indian dance traditions. Whereas some of the other traditions have been revived in the recent past, Sattriya has remained a living tradition since its creation by the Assamese Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in 15th century AssamSankardeva created Sattriya Nritya as an accompaniment to the Ankiya Naat (a form of Assamese one-act plays devisdby him), which were usually performed in the sattras, as Assam's monasteries are called. As the tradition developed and grew within the sattras, the dance form came to be called Sattriya Nritya.The name 'Sattriya' has been derived from the word 'Sattra' which are religious Institutes set up by the Vishnava Saint Shrimanta Shankardev for preserving and propagation of tradition, culture and religion. It was coined centuries after and represents all that the Saint had created, which brought about a Socio-cultural Renaissance in the Assam Valley of INDIA !!!The Sattra style was evolved when Shankaradeva, a great artist and musician in himself composed 'Ankiya Bhaona' or 'Ankiya-Nat' (dance-dramas), devotional music- 'Borgeet', and the four sacred texts - “Kirtan', 'Dasam' 'Ghosa', 'Ratnavali' (the last two composed by Madhavdev). A School of Philosophical Learning emerged and a deeper understanding of life through the simple path of devotion brought one and all to the fold...Actually Sattriya dance of Assam is aclassical form of dance which is highly devotional in character with the spiritual aspect being predominant all through !!!This Dance form of Sattriya is like many of the other Classical Dance forms of India which has been extracted from a larger body of theatrical practices that constitute the Ankiya Bhaona form. References of this dance form can be found in the ancient Indian classical texts like the Natyashastra, the Kalikapurana, the Yoginitantra, and the Abhinayadarpana apart from many sculptures, and historical relicsThe musical Instruments that accompany a performance are the khols or the drums, the taals or the cymbals, the flute and the violin. Even though Sattriya dance is performed by bhokots or the male monks traditionally in monasteries...The popular forms of the Sattriya dance are Apsara Nritya, Behar Nritya, Chali Nritya, Dasavatara Nritya, Gosai Prabesh, Nadu Bhangi, Manchok Nritya, Bar prabesha, Gopi Pravesha, Rasa Nritya, Rajaghariya Chali Nritya, and Sutradhara.While I was searching throuh all relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical dance, I found a link where I saw the same artis.. Please have a look and she really looks the same. Isn't it? - http://www.mridusattriya.com/satt_dance.htmlThe Sattriya dance can be classified into two styles namely Paurashik Bhangi that is Tandav or masculine style and Shtri bhangi which is Lasya or feminine style !!!This was one of the interesting performance of the evening at Rogali Bihu Festival although colorful lighting spoiled my lot of photographs... I will be sharing some colorful shots of Sattriya Dance soon !!!Now I know another Indian Classical Dance form and loved the expressions of performer here !!!

🔥 Bhogali Bihu: The Festival of Feasts and Fire

Celebrated in January, Bhogali Bihu marks the end of the harvest season—a time of plenty.

This is a festival of warmth, community, and indulgence.

The celebrations begin with Uruka, the night before the main day:

  • Families and communities gather for grand feasts
  • Temporary huts called bheloghar are built using bamboo and thatch
  • Bonfires known as meji are prepared

The next morning, the meji is lit, symbolizing gratitude and purification.

Food plays a central role:

  • Rice cakes (pitha)
  • Sesame sweets (til ladoo)
  • Traditional breakfasts known as jolpan

Traditional games and rural sports bring villages together, turning the celebration into a lively social event.

Sattriya Dance Performance during Rongali Bihu Festival @ Indira Gandhi national Center of Arts (organized by Assam Association, Delhi on 24th April 2011) : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Sattriya Dance performances is one of the main highlight of Rogali Bihu Festival at IGNCA, Delhi ! And this performance was full of expressions and it seems these songs were telling some story which dancer was enacting through her steps !!! Let's have a look at some of the photographs from Sattriya performance on 24th April, 2011 with relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical Dance !!!Sattriya Nritya is one among eight principal classical Indian dance traditions. Whereas some of the other traditions have been revived in the recent past, Sattriya has remained a living tradition since its creation by the Assamese Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in 15th century AssamSankardeva created Sattriya Nritya as an accompaniment to the Ankiya Naat (a form of Assamese one-act plays devisdby him), which were usually performed in the sattras, as Assam's monasteries are called. As the tradition developed and grew within the sattras, the dance form came to be called Sattriya Nritya.The name 'Sattriya' has been derived from the word 'Sattra' which are religious Institutes set up by the Vishnava Saint Shrimanta Shankardev for preserving and propagation of tradition, culture and religion. It was coined centuries after and represents all that the Saint had created, which brought about a Socio-cultural Renaissance in the Assam Valley of INDIA !!!The Sattra style was evolved when Shankaradeva, a great artist and musician in himself composed 'Ankiya Bhaona' or 'Ankiya-Nat' (dance-dramas), devotional music- 'Borgeet', and the four sacred texts - “Kirtan', 'Dasam' 'Ghosa', 'Ratnavali' (the last two composed by Madhavdev). A School of Philosophical Learning emerged and a deeper understanding of life through the simple path of devotion brought one and all to the fold...Actually Sattriya dance of Assam is aclassical form of dance which is highly devotional in character with the spiritual aspect being predominant all through !!!This Dance form of Sattriya is like many of the other Classical Dance forms of India which has been extracted from a larger body of theatrical practices that constitute the Ankiya Bhaona form. References of this dance form can be found in the ancient Indian classical texts like the Natyashastra, the Kalikapurana, the Yoginitantra, and the Abhinayadarpana apart from many sculptures, and historical relicsThe musical Instruments that accompany a performance are the khols or the drums, the taals or the cymbals, the flute and the violin. Even though Sattriya dance is performed by bhokots or the male monks traditionally in monasteries...The popular forms of the Sattriya dance are Apsara Nritya, Behar Nritya, Chali Nritya, Dasavatara Nritya, Gosai Prabesh, Nadu Bhangi, Manchok Nritya, Bar prabesha, Gopi Pravesha, Rasa Nritya, Rajaghariya Chali Nritya, and Sutradhara.While I was searching throuh all relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical dance, I found a link where I saw the same artis.. Please have a look and she really looks the same. Isn't it? - http://www.mridusattriya.com/satt_dance.htmlThe Sattriya dance can be classified into two styles namely Paurashik Bhangi that is Tandav or masculine style and Shtri bhangi which is Lasya or feminine style !!!This was one of the interesting performance of the evening at Rogali Bihu Festival although colorful lighting spoiled my lot of photographs... I will be sharing some colorful shots of Sattriya Dance soon !!!Now I know another Indian Classical Dance form and loved the expressions of performer here !!!

🪔 Kongali Bihu: The Festival of Silence and Hope

Celebrated in October, Kongali Bihu is the most subdued of the three.

This is a time when:

  • Crops are still growing in the fields
  • Granaries are nearly empty

Unlike the other Bihus, there is no feasting or festivity. Instead, it is marked by quiet rituals and deep faith.

People light lamps:

  • Near the tulsi plant in courtyards
  • Along the edges of paddy fields
  • On bamboo poles as “akash banti”

These small flames symbolize hope, protection, and patience—guiding both crops and lives toward the future.

Sattriya Dance Performance during Rongali Bihu Festival @ Indira Gandhi national Center of Arts (organized by Assam Association, Delhi on 24th April 2011) : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Sattriya Dance performances is one of the main highlight of Rogali Bihu Festival at IGNCA, Delhi ! And this performance was full of expressions and it seems these songs were telling some story which dancer was enacting through her steps !!! Let's have a look at some of the photographs from Sattriya performance on 24th April, 2011 with relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical Dance !!!Sattriya Nritya is one among eight principal classical Indian dance traditions. Whereas some of the other traditions have been revived in the recent past, Sattriya has remained a living tradition since its creation by the Assamese Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in 15th century AssamSankardeva created Sattriya Nritya as an accompaniment to the Ankiya Naat (a form of Assamese one-act plays devisdby him), which were usually performed in the sattras, as Assam's monasteries are called. As the tradition developed and grew within the sattras, the dance form came to be called Sattriya Nritya.The name 'Sattriya' has been derived from the word 'Sattra' which are religious Institutes set up by the Vishnava Saint Shrimanta Shankardev for preserving and propagation of tradition, culture and religion. It was coined centuries after and represents all that the Saint had created, which brought about a Socio-cultural Renaissance in the Assam Valley of INDIA !!!The Sattra style was evolved when Shankaradeva, a great artist and musician in himself composed 'Ankiya Bhaona' or 'Ankiya-Nat' (dance-dramas), devotional music- 'Borgeet', and the four sacred texts - “Kirtan', 'Dasam' 'Ghosa', 'Ratnavali' (the last two composed by Madhavdev). A School of Philosophical Learning emerged and a deeper understanding of life through the simple path of devotion brought one and all to the fold...Actually Sattriya dance of Assam is aclassical form of dance which is highly devotional in character with the spiritual aspect being predominant all through !!!This Dance form of Sattriya is like many of the other Classical Dance forms of India which has been extracted from a larger body of theatrical practices that constitute the Ankiya Bhaona form. References of this dance form can be found in the ancient Indian classical texts like the Natyashastra, the Kalikapurana, the Yoginitantra, and the Abhinayadarpana apart from many sculptures, and historical relicsThe musical Instruments that accompany a performance are the khols or the drums, the taals or the cymbals, the flute and the violin. Even though Sattriya dance is performed by bhokots or the male monks traditionally in monasteries...The popular forms of the Sattriya dance are Apsara Nritya, Behar Nritya, Chali Nritya, Dasavatara Nritya, Gosai Prabesh, Nadu Bhangi, Manchok Nritya, Bar prabesha, Gopi Pravesha, Rasa Nritya, Rajaghariya Chali Nritya, and Sutradhara.While I was searching throuh all relevant information about this particular form of Indian Classical dance, I found a link where I saw the same artis.. Please have a look and she really looks the same. Isn't it? - http://www.mridusattriya.com/satt_dance.htmlThe Sattriya dance can be classified into two styles namely Paurashik Bhangi that is Tandav or masculine style and Shtri bhangi which is Lasya or feminine style !!!This was one of the interesting performance of the evening at Rogali Bihu Festival although colorful lighting spoiled my lot of photographs... I will be sharing some colorful shots of Sattriya Dance soon !!!Now I know another Indian Classical Dance form and loved the expressions of performer here !!!

Rituals That Reflect a Way of Life

Every ritual in Bihu is deeply connected to the natural world.

  • Bathing cattle reflects gratitude toward agricultural companions
  • Lighting lamps in fields symbolizes protection and prosperity
  • Community feasts celebrate the bounty of nature
  • Open-air dances dissolve the boundary between people and landscape

Even seasonal winds and storms are woven into local beliefs and stories, making nature an active participant in the celebration.

Bihu is not just about observing nature—it is about living in harmony with it.

Huchori Performance by an Assamese group of boys @ Rongali Bihu Festival, IGNCA, Delhi : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Huchori - Huchori is an integral part of Rongali Bihu. Choral parties of singers and dancers moving from house to house is a salient feature of Rongali Bihu !!!Huchori is a regular thing which happens during the Rongali Bihu and it is a custom of community singing in which a group of singers visit each home in their locality and sing songs containing spiritual and moral values. The group comprises only of men and the event coincides with the Assamese New Year. The group visits every house irrespective of caste, creed and social status of the householder. During the reign of the Ahom dynasty, Huchori singing was a usual custom in the royal palaces. At a later period it began to be practiced by common people.A group of boys performed Hichuri on the stage and it was really interesting to see overall getup of folks in the groups and it seems elder folks also join this group to better guide the younger ones :) .. Although I was not able to make any sense out of the songs or dialogs, but it looked very interesting !!!Huchori group begins its procession from the village headman’s house and continue towards the other houses in the vicinity. The procession proceeds amidst chanting, singing and dancing. Visiting each house in the village, the group accepts some donation from the residents. The singers usually carry a staff, a bag, an umbrella and a lamp while roaming around the village. Their instruments comprise of dhol (drum), taal (cymbals), pepa (horn pipe) and taka (bamboo clapper).This seems more like Lohri in North India.. Specially in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh !!! On Lohri week, boys make some groups and start visiting various houses in the village/town and sing different Lohri Songs... After that every house master offer some stuff like wheat, corns or rice.. and now people prefer to give money.. as it's convenient for both parties :)Huchori Performance at Rongali Bihu Festival in Indira Gandhi National Center of Arts was amazing and the energy level of folks performing was commendable !!!Here is one of the most enthusiatic performer of Hichori Dance who was handling dhol during Riganli Bihu in Delhi !!!Notice the dressed of all these folks and they have taken proper care of clothings they should use !!!Although I was not able to make out anything as they were singing in Assamese but their expressions were telling a story !! Here a couple is presenting something for god and praying for good !This whole event was organized by Assam association Delhi in partnership with Indira gandhi National Center of Art and it was wonderful experience at Rongali bihu festival !!!

Where is Bihu Celebrated?

Bihu is the cultural heartbeat of Assam, but its influence extends far beyond.

Today, it is celebrated:

  • Across towns and villages throughout the state
  • In major Indian cities by Assamese communities
  • Among the global diaspora

From intimate village gatherings to large urban cultural events, Bihu continues to bring people together, no matter where they are.

Huchori Performance by an Assamese group of boys @ Rongali Bihu Festival, IGNCA, Delhi : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Huchori - Huchori is an integral part of Rongali Bihu. Choral parties of singers and dancers moving from house to house is a salient feature of Rongali Bihu !!!Huchori is a regular thing which happens during the Rongali Bihu and it is a custom of community singing in which a group of singers visit each home in their locality and sing songs containing spiritual and moral values. The group comprises only of men and the event coincides with the Assamese New Year. The group visits every house irrespective of caste, creed and social status of the householder. During the reign of the Ahom dynasty, Huchori singing was a usual custom in the royal palaces. At a later period it began to be practiced by common people.A group of boys performed Hichuri on the stage and it was really interesting to see overall getup of folks in the groups and it seems elder folks also join this group to better guide the younger ones :) .. Although I was not able to make any sense out of the songs or dialogs, but it looked very interesting !!!Huchori group begins its procession from the village headman’s house and continue towards the other houses in the vicinity. The procession proceeds amidst chanting, singing and dancing. Visiting each house in the village, the group accepts some donation from the residents. The singers usually carry a staff, a bag, an umbrella and a lamp while roaming around the village. Their instruments comprise of dhol (drum), taal (cymbals), pepa (horn pipe) and taka (bamboo clapper).This seems more like Lohri in North India.. Specially in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh !!! On Lohri week, boys make some groups and start visiting various houses in the village/town and sing different Lohri Songs... After that every house master offer some stuff like wheat, corns or rice.. and now people prefer to give money.. as it's convenient for both parties :)Huchori Performance at Rongali Bihu Festival in Indira Gandhi National Center of Arts was amazing and the energy level of folks performing was commendable !!!Here is one of the most enthusiatic performer of Hichori Dance who was handling dhol during Riganli Bihu in Delhi !!!Notice the dressed of all these folks and they have taken proper care of clothings they should use !!!Although I was not able to make out anything as they were singing in Assamese but their expressions were telling a story !! Here a couple is presenting something for god and praying for good !This whole event was organized by Assam association Delhi in partnership with Indira gandhi National Center of Art and it was wonderful experience at Rongali bihu festival !!!

The Evolution of Bihu: From Fields to Global Stages

Like all living traditions, Bihu has evolved with time.

Earlier:

  • Rooted in rural life
  • Closely tied to farming cycles
  • Celebrated within close-knit communities

Today:

  • Performed on grand stages
  • Celebrated in cities and international platforms
  • Shared through media, tourism, and cultural festivals

Large-scale performances, record-breaking dance gatherings, and organized events have brought Bihu into the global spotlight.

Yet, despite this transformation, its essence remains unchanged.

You can still find the most authentic Bihu in a village—where the dance is spontaneous, the music is raw, and the connection to the land is unfiltered.

A Marvelous dance performance by troop of lovely school children on Bihu songs @ Rogali Bihu Festival at Indira Gandhi National Center of Art (24th April, 2011) : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Recently I witnessed Rogali Bihu Festival at Indira Gandhi National Center of Art which was organized Assam Organization, Delhi !!! among various Bihu performances, these children presented a shining dance performance with cute expressions at each step... Check Out !!!Smallest girl in the troop and was leading one side of the sub-group on stage.. She was really enjoying dance with amazing expressions on her face and I assume expressions were changing as per the lyrics of the song !!! I am not sure because I could not understand Assamese...While other performances were going on the stage, these kids were roaming around the stage and it seemed that limit of their wait has crossed !!!Enthusiasm of all the kids was unmatchable and till the end they were like that only !!!If I am not missing anything, there were only two boys surrounded by all the girls !!! During the end part, a boy dressed up as old man entered and performance finished after some conversations between the lead person on the stage and the old man !!!These children look so pretty in Assamese sari's. This girl's smile reminds me of Vayjanthimala.Cute group of School children performing Bihu dance in sync @ Rongali Bihu Festival in Delhi, INDIA !!For such a sustained and consistent performance, these children would have had to go through several hours of practice. Kudos to them and their teachers for the achievement.Somehow synchronization is always a challenge with child dancers but that adds to the innocense of it all.Some steps were fairly complicated but the children were obviously enjoying themselves to the core.It was all done with the intention of having fun as well as performing for an audience.Saris were similar yet not the same. Some performers were obviously younger than the others. Yet age did not seem to make much difference to the quality of performances.Expressions were mature and could very well have been used in a drama. I don't know what the song was saying but it was easy to make out the gist from the expressions of these dancers cum actors.This seems to be a common step in this form of dance. Almost all performances included this.Highly enthusiastic and energetic performance by children. They were the life of the party.I hope these children keep performing and help in keeping the traditional dances alive. Preserving culture is very important. It is what gives each community its unique identity.

More Than a Festival: A Cultural Identity

For the people of Assam, Bihu is not just an event—it is a way of being.

It represents:

  • A deep connection to roots
  • A celebration of unity
  • A continuity of tradition across generations

In a rapidly changing world, Bihu stands as a reminder that some rhythms are timeless.

A Marvelous dance performance by troop of lovely school children on Bihu songs @ Rogali Bihu Festival at Indira Gandhi National Center of Art (24th April, 2011) : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Recently I witnessed Rogali Bihu Festival at Indira Gandhi National Center of Art which was organized Assam Organization, Delhi !!! among various Bihu performances, these children presented a shining dance performance with cute expressions at each step... Check Out !!!Smallest girl in the troop and was leading one side of the sub-group on stage.. She was really enjoying dance with amazing expressions on her face and I assume expressions were changing as per the lyrics of the song !!! I am not sure because I could not understand Assamese...While other performances were going on the stage, these kids were roaming around the stage and it seemed that limit of their wait has crossed !!!Enthusiasm of all the kids was unmatchable and till the end they were like that only !!!If I am not missing anything, there were only two boys surrounded by all the girls !!! During the end part, a boy dressed up as old man entered and performance finished after some conversations between the lead person on the stage and the old man !!!These children look so pretty in Assamese sari's. This girl's smile reminds me of Vayjanthimala.Cute group of School children performing Bihu dance in sync @ Rongali Bihu Festival in Delhi, INDIA !!For such a sustained and consistent performance, these children would have had to go through several hours of practice. Kudos to them and their teachers for the achievement.Somehow synchronization is always a challenge with child dancers but that adds to the innocense of it all.Some steps were fairly complicated but the children were obviously enjoying themselves to the core.It was all done with the intention of having fun as well as performing for an audience.Saris were similar yet not the same. Some performers were obviously younger than the others. Yet age did not seem to make much difference to the quality of performances.Expressions were mature and could very well have been used in a drama. I don't know what the song was saying but it was easy to make out the gist from the expressions of these dancers cum actors.This seems to be a common step in this form of dance. Almost all performances included this.Highly enthusiastic and energetic performance by children. They were the life of the party.I hope these children keep performing and help in keeping the traditional dances alive. Preserving culture is very important. It is what gives each community its unique identity.

Why Bihu Feels Different

What makes Bihu truly unique is its universality.

It is not confined to temples or scriptures.
It does not belong to one community alone.

Instead, it celebrates something fundamental:

👉 The bond between humans, land, and time

A Marvelous dance performance by troop of lovely school children on Bihu songs @ Rogali Bihu Festival at Indira Gandhi National Center of Art (24th April, 2011) : Posted by VJ SHARMA on www.travellingcamera.com : Recently I witnessed Rogali Bihu Festival at Indira Gandhi National Center of Art which was organized Assam Organization, Delhi !!! among various Bihu performances, these children presented a shining dance performance with cute expressions at each step... Check Out !!!Smallest girl in the troop and was leading one side of the sub-group on stage.. She was really enjoying dance with amazing expressions on her face and I assume expressions were changing as per the lyrics of the song !!! I am not sure because I could not understand Assamese...While other performances were going on the stage, these kids were roaming around the stage and it seemed that limit of their wait has crossed !!!Enthusiasm of all the kids was unmatchable and till the end they were like that only !!!If I am not missing anything, there were only two boys surrounded by all the girls !!! During the end part, a boy dressed up as old man entered and performance finished after some conversations between the lead person on the stage and the old man !!!These children look so pretty in Assamese sari's. This girl's smile reminds me of Vayjanthimala.Cute group of School children performing Bihu dance in sync @ Rongali Bihu Festival in Delhi, INDIA !!For such a sustained and consistent performance, these children would have had to go through several hours of practice. Kudos to them and their teachers for the achievement.Somehow synchronization is always a challenge with child dancers but that adds to the innocense of it all.Some steps were fairly complicated but the children were obviously enjoying themselves to the core.It was all done with the intention of having fun as well as performing for an audience.Saris were similar yet not the same. Some performers were obviously younger than the others. Yet age did not seem to make much difference to the quality of performances.Expressions were mature and could very well have been used in a drama. I don't know what the song was saying but it was easy to make out the gist from the expressions of these dancers cum actors.This seems to be a common step in this form of dance. Almost all performances included this.Highly enthusiastic and energetic performance by children. They were the life of the party.I hope these children keep performing and help in keeping the traditional dances alive. Preserving culture is very important. It is what gives each community its unique identity.

Final Thoughts: When the Land Comes Alive

If you ever experience Bihu in Assam, don’t just watch it—immerse yourself in it.

Listen to the drums echo across fields.
Watch the colors of traditional attire come alive in motion.
Feel the warmth of people who celebrate not just a festival, but a shared existence.

Because Bihu is not just celebrated.

It is felt—in the soil, in the air, and in every heartbeat of Assam.

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