Bihu: A Journey from the Tradition to Transformation

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Bihu: A Journey from the Tradition to Transformation

GAUTAM SARMAH

Once again, spring, the king of seasons, has arrived upon the bosom of the earth. With its coming, trees and creepers reaffirm the eternal law of nature by dressing themselves in fresh new attire.

The Bihuwati bird too descends to the plains, singing sweet songs in its melodious voice. Spring brings with it messages of peace, harmony, and progress to nature.

Its gentle touch weaves bonds of unity, solidarity, and brotherhood among human hearts. The presence of spring removes social violence and unrest. It creates a green earth and a clear sky, and under its soft influence, poets and lyricists compose new songs and poems.

The beauty that the green world of nature assumes during spring is beyond all comparison. The very mention of spring reminds every Assamese of the beloved Bohag Bihu, where there is nothing but joy. This Bohag Bihu, hidden within the bosom of spring, carries with it a glorious tradition.

Though Bihu originated and developed from traditional agriculture and the lives of common people, in present times this festival, which represents the spirit of Assamese identity, seems to have taken on a new form in the course of change. Alongside positive aspects, various negative practices are gradually increasing, bringing disrepute to Bohag.

In truth, if we examine the historical background of Bihu, we find that it was a festival of agricultural and hardworking people. It carried the raw fragrance of human life, youth, and nature, a fragrance that once filled the earth with vitality. But does that Bihu, with its original characteristics, still exist today?

Assam, a land filled with the evergreen beauty of nature and abundant resources, enriched with heritage and traditions, becomes ever youthful with the arrival of spring. In earlier times, young Assamese boys and girls would spontaneously gather under large trees, on riverbanks, in courtyards, and in fields, breaking all boundaries of hesitation to sing Bihu songs and dance freely without any audience. Their bodies, minds, and souls would vibrate with joy.

The heartfelt tunes of Bihu songs touched every heart, and the rhythmic movements of dancers seemed to make the earth tremble. In villages, in the courtyards of households, the tradition of Husori would fill the surroundings with festivity. Along with Husori performances, blessings were offered for cattle, betel nut plants, fish, and the well being of households. These practices held deep significance and enriched Assamese life with folk customs, beliefs, and traditions.

However, with the rapid changes of time, Bihu has unexpectedly entered modern competitive stages before audiences and judges. As a result, on brightly lit stages, the meaningful essence and the originality of folk traditions seem to have been deeply affected. The rich heritage of folk dance cannot be divided or artificially modified. If that were possible, even the foundations of timeless monuments could be painted anew in modern colors.

It is important to note that the folk dances and cultural wealth of a community are symbols of its refined identity. Through them, the unique thoughts and consciousness of a civilized society are expressed. Bihu, filled with diverse elements, represents the spirit of Assamese life. Today, the fragrance of this soil rooted festival has spread beyond the boundaries of Assam to the international stage, which is indeed a matter of pride. Yet, at the same time, certain alarming signs in the way Bihu is celebrated have become a cause for concern.

Celebrating Bihu on grand modern stages with colorful decorations and large advertisements does not truly represent the essence of national culture. Instead, portraying the authentic image of a village would make Bihu celebrations more meaningful and attractive. Many traditional elements closely associated with Bihu and agriculture are gradually becoming unfamiliar to the present generation.

Without Mother Earth, without vast fields, without trees and greenery, Bihu can never be complete. The relationship between soil and the emotions of the farmer can never be denied. Without the smell of fresh earth, the touch of soil and water, and the charm of nature, the intoxication of Bohag cannot be experienced. The true and pure love between the earth and the plough forms the inner essence of Bihu. Without this, Bihu can never attain completeness.

Under the harsh impact of time, Bihu has now turned into a commodity that is bought and sold in the market. The number of people engaging in bargaining and commercialization of Bihu is steadily increasing. As a result, the spontaneous enthusiasm of agricultural and working communities has diminished. Many traditional customs associated with Bihu have faded away.

The simple celebrations once held under trees, on riverbanks, and in open fields have been replaced by expensive and grand stages. Even in villages, the true charm of Bihu is rarely seen today, not to mention cities. Husori groups now often consider the financial condition of households before performing, limiting the participation of common people.

Today, performing Bihu requires expensive and branded attire, leaving many performers deprived. Ignoring the fundamental elements of Bihu and treating it as a commodity is truly unfortunate. Bihu is not a personal or inherited property of anyone, it is a tradition. Every Assamese has the right to claim it as their own. Therefore, no one has the right to harm its essence or destroy its heritage in the name of modern practices.

Although human customs and traditions have changed, the beauty and wonder of nature remain unchanged. Under the gentle touch of spring, trees still sprout new leaves, flowers bloom, and birds announce the arrival of Bohag without breaking tradition.

Yet, despite being conscious human beings, we have allowed the beauty and sweetness of Bohag to be destroyed in the name of change. It must always be remembered that while cultural refinement is desirable, it should not damage the core elements of folk culture.

Attempting transformation by neglecting the essential components of Bihu is unacceptable. If the unique characteristics of this thousand year old tradition are discarded, Bihu may soon turn into a lifeless and fading stream of culture.

Author’s E-mail: gautamhistoryrtu@gmail.com

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