The program was also attended by a few guests from Oman and Assam. While Sri Hiren Sarma with his wife Smt Usha Sarma came from Oman, renowned Assamese singer, Sri Pankaj Dutta, along with his team members Sri Pradip Pathak and Sri Mehboob Laskar, came all the way from Assam to participate in this program.
The main feature of the Bihu celebrations was a cultural function held on the evening of 25th April, where local talents as well as artistes from Assam participated.
The function started with the traditional number welcoming Bihu- 'Otikoi Chenehar Mugare Mohura …..' sung by Arman Hazorika and the dance performed by Dr. Santi Medhi, Neena Kataky, Runima Kakati, Maitrayee & Harshita. It was followed by 'Husori' with the active participation of Dr. Prasenjeet Kakati, Col. Mahananda Medhi, Aswini Borkotoky, Saumya Narayan Barua, Dr. Utpal Kataky and Farook Ahmed - senior members of the Society, led by young Sumon Bordoloi.
Dr. Habibur Rahman, a resident in UAE since 1975, delivered the welcome address, while Dr. Prasenjeet Kakati, the Honorary President of the Society, also spoke on the occasion.
The two and half hour long cultural program, which continued till late in the evening, included chorus ('Jananir Santaan'), Dance by Children (Arnav & Rusha enacting the song 'Aai Saraswati O' from the film 'Aparoopa'), Songs in Hindi & English by Aliya and Rushil, Recitation of an Assamese poem by Arman Hazorika, Instrumental numbers in keyboard and guitar by Rohika, Rohit and Sumanto Dutta, and folk songs from Goalpara by Saumya Narayan Barua.
The main attraction of the evening however was the performance of the guest artiste from Assam - Sri Pankaj Dutta. Sri Dutta delighted the audience with his melodious rendering of songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, for more than an hour. The presence of Sri Pankaj Dutta in Dubai was possible due to the commendable efforts of Mr. Mahmud Zaman Laskar, a successful entrepreneur based in Dubai. It was due to his persuasions that Sri Dutta came to Dubai postponing a number of his musical programs in Assam in the midst of the busy Bihu season.
The octogenarian guest from Assam, Srimati Preetilata Dutta of Guwahati, formally released the first issue of the souvenir of the Society -(Probaxi Bihuwan) - which was brought out to mark the celebrations, during the cultural program.
The program also included introduction of new 'members' of the Society. The post dinner interactive game organized by Dr. Utpal Kumar Kataky had everyone on their feet in no time. Dr. Santi Medhi offered 'Solagor Sorai'; Neena Kataky and Sumana Barua paired well to do a wonderful job of compering for the cultural program. The formal program was concluded with the distribution of prizes and gifts. However, the celebrations continued well past midnight with 'Mukoli Bihu' and an informal session of singing by Sri Pankaj Dutta as well as local talents like Arman Hazorika and Sanjana Borkotoky. Mr. Siba Borah delighted the audience with his powerful performance on the 'Dhol' accompanied by Sumon Bordoloi with 'Pepa' and Subir Dutta on the 'Toka'.
Next day's program started with community breakfast which included traditional Assamese snacks like 'Komal Saul' and 'Doi-Mithoi', arranged by Sanjana Borkotoky.
Among the activities on the next morning included an open session to discuss about the formation of the 'Asom Somaj' as an independent entity affiliated to the Indian Association, Dubai and also options available for enrolling members for the same and other related issues. The discussions were moderated by Col. (Retd.) Mahananda Medhi and Sri Aswini Borkotoky.
The gifts and prizes for the program were sponsored by M/s Assam Trading Company, Emirates Airlines, Diamond Lease and Dr. Habibur Rahman. M/s Knightsbridge and MIG Enterprises sponsored air-tickets for the artistes from Assam, while transport to the venue from Dubai was provided by M/s Diamond Lease.
Photographs of the program can be viewed in the internet by visiting the Home Page of the Assam Society at http://assamtoday.tripod.com.
This is the fourth year in succession since 1999, when the Bihu has been organized in UAE as a community function. However, it was for the first time that the artistes from Assam were invited for the Bihu celebrations in UAE. It was also for the first time that a souvenir was printed to mark the celebrations (Those who would like to have a copy of the Souvenir may send an e-mail to assamdubai@mail.com).
It is planned to organize a music festival of Assamese & Hindi artistes in Dubai in the later part of this year.
For Assam Society, Dubai (UAE).
D K Borah
PO Box 14415
Dubai
e-mail : assamdubai@mail.com