Evolution Of Bihu Festival

Many changes came in Bihu due to the present socio economic conditions ad relative life style changes of the general people. Modern bihutolis are established as big mandaps with lighting in urban areas. This has become a craze in Assam. Different bihutolis are competing with each other. Many Shops are opened around the bihutolis in these days. There are commercial viewpoints behind modern day Bihu. Original rituals of Bihu are performed only in villages. Middle class people of urban areas are happy with the bihu dance of bihutolis mandap. This became gradually a song and dance festival. Some cassettes of songs are released. The songs are based on filmy pop music. Present folk poets also write bihugaans on moder lifestyles, present needs and demands of the people. Previously men and women did not dance together, but now days they performed all together. Today Bihu is performed on stage and day y day it is becoming a show business. Some groups also performed in the mandaps in the urban areas. In the middle of the 60’s skilled dancers performed together for the first time ad got instant popularity. The bihukumari competition came in 1970 or 1971. The most efficient dancer is awarded with the title of bihukumari or bihukumar. Assamese film songs have a strong influence in the presence of bihu dance and songs formats. Bihu is a folk festival which is a symbol of peace and harmony. Bihu festivals are an integral part of Assam life and culture. Bihu geet or Bihu songs constitute an important part of Assam’s rich heritage and literature. The festivals are true community festivals and promote a spirit of love, brotherhood and sense of oneness among the people. It is therefore, the duty of every Assamese to preserve theses national festivals in their original form and grandeur.