Bihu (, ) denotes a set of three different cultural festivals of Assam. Though they owe their origins to ancient rites and practices they have taken definite urban features and have become popular festivals in urban and commercialized milieus in the recent decades. ''Bihu'' is also used to imply Bihu dance and Bihu folk songs. The Bihus are the national festivals of Assam. The most important festivals of Assam are the Bihus, celebrated with fun and abundance by all Assamese people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith and belief.

The word ''Bihu'' is derived from the language of the Dimasa Kacharis who have been agrarian since time immemorial. Their supreme god is Brai Shibrai or Father Shibrai. The First crops of the season are offered to Brai Shibrai while wishing for peace and prosperity. So Bi means "to ask" and Shu means "peace and prosperity" in the world. Hence the word BISHU gradually became Bihu to accommodate linguistic preferences. In Assam, ''Rongali Bihu'' draws from many different traditions— Austro-Asiatic, Sino-Burmese and Indo-Aryan—and is celebrated with great fervor. Celebrations begin in the middle of April and generally continue for a month. In addition there are two other Bihus: ''Kongali Bihu'' in October (associated with the September equinox) and ''Bhogali Bihu'' in January (associated with the January solstice). Like most other Indian festivals, Bihu (all three) is associated with farming; as the traditional Assamese society is predominantly agricultural. In fact, similar festivals are also celebrated around the same time elsewhere in India.

The Three Bihus of Assam

In a year there are three Bihu festivals in Assam - in the months of Bohaag (Baisakh, the middle of April), Maagh (the middle of January), and Kaati (Kartik, the middle of October). The Bihus have been celebrated in Assam since ancient times. Each Bihu coincides with a distinctive phase in the farming calendar. The most important and colourful of the three Bihu festival is the Spring festival "Bohag Bihu" or Rongali Bihu celebrated in the middle of April. This is also the beginning of the agricultural season.

Rongali Bihu

Rongali Bihu (mid-April, also called Bohag Bihu), the most popular Bihu celebrates the onset of the Assamese New Year (around April 15) and the coming of Spring. This marks the first day of the Hindu solar calendar and is also observed in Bengal, Manipur, Nepal, Orissa, Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu though called by different names. It's a time of merriment and feasting and continues, in general, for seven days. The farmers prepare the fields for cultivation of paddy and there is a feeling of joy around. The women make pitha, ''larus'' (traditional food made of rice and coconut) and Jolpan which gives the real essence of the season. The first day of the bihu is called ''goru'' bihu or cow bihu, where the cows are washed and worshipped, which falls on the last day of the previous year, usually on April 14. This is followed by ''manuh'' (human) bihu on April 15, the New Year Day. This is the day of getting cleaned up, wearing new cloths and celebrating and getting ready for the new year with fresh vigor. The third day is ''Gosai'' (Gods) bihu; statues of Gods, worshiped in all households are cleaned and worshiped asking for a smooth new year.

The folk songs associated with the Bohag Bihu are called Bihugeets or Bihu songs. The form of celebration and rites vary among different demographic groups.

Rongali Bihu is also a fertility festival, where the bihu dance with its sensous movements using the hips, arms, etc., by the young women call out to celebrate their fertility. In this aspect, the bihu dance can also be called a mating ritual by the young men and women.

;Goru Bihu: The ''goru bihu'' or cattle worship rites are observed on the last day of the year. The cattle are washed, smeared with ground turmeric and other pastes, struck with sprigs of ''dighalati'' and ''makhiyati'' and endeared to be healthy and productive (''lao kha, bengena kha, bosore bosore barhi ja/maar xoru, baper xoru, toi hobi bor bor goru''—eat gourd, eat brinjal, grow from year to year/your mother is small, your father is small, but you be a large one). The old cattle ropes are cast away through the legs and new ropes are tied to them, and they are allowed to roam anywhere they wished for the entire day.

;Manuh Bihu: The New Year day, the day after the ''goru bihu'', is called the ''manuh bihu''. Elders are shown respect, with gifts of ''bihuwan'' (a gamosa), a ''hachoti'' (kerchief), a ''cheleng'' etc., and their blessings are sought. Children are given new clothes, and Husori singing begins on this day, and people visit their relatives and friends.

;Husori: Village elders move from household to households singing carols, also in the style of ''bihu geets'', called ''husoris''. It possibly derives from the Dimasa Kachari word formation ''ha'' (land) and ''char'' (move over): ''hachari''. Villages could have more than one Husori band, and they would visit households in a village non-contiguous to itself, first singing carols at the ''Naamghar''. The husari singers then visit individual households, by first announcing their arrival at the gate (''podulimukh'') with drum beats. The singers are traditionally welcomed into the courtyard where they sing the husori songs and perform a ring dance. At the end of the performance they are thanked with an offering ''dakshina'' of ''paan'' (betel leaf) ''tamul'' (areka nut) in a ''xorai'' (brass dish with stand), whereupon the singers bless the household for the coming year. If there is a bereavement in the family, or the family does not invite the husori singers due to an illness, the husori band offers blessings from ''podulimukh'' and move on. Generally the singers are all male.

;Fat Bihu: This is a very old form of Bihu, characterized by spontaneity, popular in the Lakhimpur area of Assam. According to legend, the first Ahom king, Sukaphaa, traveled to the region to watch it in the early 13th century.

;Beshma: This is celebrated by koches , in this festival 'bhurbhura','shak' are marrimaking and festing,

;Mukoli Bihu: Young unmarried men and women attired in traditional golden silk ''muga'' dance the bihu and sing bihu songs in the open fields. The songs have themes of romance and sexual love, requited or unrequited. Sometimes the songs describe tragic events too, but treated very lightly. The dance celebrates female sexuality.

;Jeng Bihu: This is Bihu dance and song performed and watched only by women. The name "jeng" comes from the fact that in earlier days women in the villages used to surround the place of their performance with sticks dug into the ground called ''jeng'' in Assamese. It is also called ''gos tolor bihu'' (Bihu beneath tree).

;Baisago: The Bodo-Kachari people celebrate for seven days—the first day for cattle (''Magou''), the second day for man (''Mansoi'') and ancestor worship, feasting, singing and merriment. Songs follow the same themes as the Bihu songs.

;Bihutoli Bihu: The rural festival made its transition to urban life when it was first time brought to the stage in Lataxil field in Guwahati by the Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani in 1962, promoted by leading citizens like Radha Govinda Baruah and others. Bihu to a great extent has been popularized by the Bihu 'Samrat'( king ), of Assam, Khagen Mahanta. Unlike the rural version, the dancers danced on a makeshift elevated stage in an open area that came to be known as a ''Bihutoli''. Many such Bihutolis have sprouted since then in Guwahati and other urban areas. The performances are not confined to the bihu dance form, but may incorporate all forms of theatrical performances to keep the audience enthralled well into the early hours. Performances could include standup comedy, to concerts by solo singers. The stage form of bihu has become so popular, that organizers have begun extending the celebrations to ''bohagi bidai'', or farewell to the ''Bohag'' month, which are similar performances held a month later.

;Haat Bihu: Rongali Bihu also called ''Haat Bihu'' (seven Bihus). It celebrates seven days, it's called so. On the other hand, Rangali Bihu is constitute of seven different types of Bihu - ''Chot Bihu'', ''Raati Bihu'', ''Manuh Bihu'', ''Kutum Bihu'', ''Mela Bihu'' and ''Chera Bihu''.

Kongali Bihu

Kongali Bihu (mid-October, also called ''Kati-Bihu'') has a different flavour as there is less merriment and the atmosphere has a sense of constrain and solemnity. During this time of the year, the paddy in the fields are in the growing stage and the granaries of the farmers are almost empty. On this day, earthen lamps (''saki'') are lit at the foot of the household ''tulashi'' plant, the granary, the garden (''bari'') and the paddy fields. To protect the maturing paddy, cultivators whirl a piece of bamboo and recite ''rowa-khowa'' chants and spells to ward off pests and the evil eye. During the evening, cattle are fed specially made rice items called pitha. The Bodo people light lamps at the foot of the ''siju'' (''Euphorbia'') tree. This Bihu is also associated with the lighting of akaxi gonga or ''akaxbonti'', lamps at the tip of a tall bamboo pole, to show the souls of the dead the way to heaven, a practice that is common to many communities in India, as well as Asia and Europe.Edited by Parikshit Roy

Bhogali Bihu

Bhogali Bihu (mid-January, also called Magh Bihu) comes from the word ''Bhog'' that is eating and enjoyment. It is a harvest festival and marks the end of harvesting season. Since the granaries are full, there is a lot of feasting and eating during this period. On the eve of the day called ''uruka'', i.e., the last day of ''pausa'', menfolk, more particularly young men go to the field, preferably near a river, build a makeshift cottage called Bhelaghar with the hay of the harvest fields and the Meji, the most important thing for the night. During the night, they prepare food and there is community feasting everywhere.There is also exchange of sweets and greetings at this time. The entire night (called Uruka) is spent around a Meji with people singing bihu songs, beating Dhol, a typical kind of drums or playing games. Boys roam about in the dark stealing firewood and vegetables for fun. The next morning they take a bath and burn the main Meji. People gather around the Meji and throw Pithas (rice cakes) and betel nuts to it while burning it at the same time. They offer their prayers to the God of Fire and mark the end of the harvesting year. Thereafter they come back home carrying pieces of half burnt firewood for being thrown among fruit trees for favourable results. All the trees in the compound are tied to bamboo strips or paddy stems. Different types of sports like Buffalo-fight, Egg-fight, Cock-fight, Nightingale-fight etc. are held throughout the day. There are other conventional festivals observed by various ethnic-cultural groups. Me-dam-me-phi, Ali-aye-ligang, Porag, Garja, Hapsa Hatarnai, Kherai are few among them.The koch celebrates this bihu as pushna

Instruments used in Bihu

Dhol (Drum)

Taal

Pepa (An instrument made of buffalo horn)

Toka

Baanhi (Flute)

Xutuli

Gogona

Others

The ''Kadi''-''Khel'' (a game, somewhat similar to present-day Ludo) is closely associated with all the forms of ''bihu''. Earlier, it was mostly played in the afternoon, specially during the days of ''bihu'', by men and women, separately, by making a temporary dice on the earthen floor, and using the dry hard coverings of small snails. However, now-a-days, it is mostly extinct.

Bihu elsewhere

Bihu is also seen to be celebrated abroad. Many Bihu associations / committees exist elsewhere where this festival is celebrated with enthusiasm. The London Bihu Committee (LBC), UK is one of them amongst others.

Notes and references

Das, Debendra Prasad ''Rongali Bihu through the ages'', The Assam Tribune, April 14, 2007.

Dowerah, Sawpon ''Rongali Bihu-the spring festival of Assam'', The Assam Tribune, April 14, 2007.

Goswami, Prafulladatta (1988) ''Bohag Bihu of Assam and Bihu songs'', Publication Board, Assam.

External links

Bihu photos

Bihu Astrology

Bihu Husori

Category:Festivals in Assam Category:Culture of Assam

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Coordinates	12°27′0″N130°50′0″N
name	Zubeen Garg
background	solo_singer
birth name	Jiban Borthakur
alias	Goldie
born	November 18, 1972Jorhat, Assam
instrument	Vocalist, guitar,tabla
genre	Playback singing, Bihu, Indian pop, rock
occupation	Singer, composer, actor
years active	1992–present
label	Various
spouse	Garima Saikia Garg
website	http://www.zubeen.com }}

Zubeen Garg (, born 18 November 1972) is a singer and composer from Assam, India, in the Bollywood and Assamese music scene. He plays dhols, guitar, dotora, mandolin, keyboard and various percussion instruments.

Background

Zubeen Garg hails from Jorhat, a city in upper Assam. His birth name is zubeen Borthakur. He was named after the great composer Zubin Mehta and used their gotra Garg as his surname. Zubeen was born to Mr. Mohini. Mohan Borthakur, a famous lyricist, poet and a magistrate (who uses the pseudo name Kapil Thakur), and late Mrs. Ily Borthakur.

The Borthakur family had its roots in Janji, Sivasagar. Mr. Borthakur was a magistrate and moved often during his early years along with little Zubeen. Zubeen's mother was a good dancer, an actress and a singer. However, she never turned these talents into a professional career. Instead, she decided to teach them to little Zubeen at home. Zubeen considers his mother to be his first guru and mentor. Zubeen's younger sister Jonkie Borthakur was a well known singer and actress who died in a car accident in 2002. Zubeen's other sister Palme, is a good bharat natyam dancer, presently living in Guwahati, operating a dance academy.

Feeling indebted to his loyal fans from Assam, Zubeen became involved in various charitable organizations dealing with AIDS and[ cancer].zubeen is also working as the president for societies like destination(autistic children),all assam cultural organisation,& vande.

Zubeen lives with his wife Garima, a fashion designer, in his flat, which is a part of his music studio called Sound & Silence, located at 165/1, Sher-E-Punjab. Andheri East. Mumbai, India.zubeen is also a prominent actor in assamese films.his films like mon jai,dinabandhu got national awards.currently zubeen is working for some assamese films n started his own production house in guahati.zubeen is working many bengali films also.his new assamese/bengali film YOU ARE NOT MY JULIE is all set to be released in october 2011.

Entering the music scene

Zubeen started learning tabla from Guru Robin Banarjee, and then continued learning Assamese folk music form Guru Romoni Rai. He attended Jagannath Barooah College in Jorhat, and then moved to B. Barooah College, where he was pursuing Bachelor of Science after his family moved permanently to Guwahati. But he did not complete his graduation as he jumped in to the music scene. Zubeen's life had a turning point when he received the gold medal for his western solo performance in the youth festival held in 1992. This is where he got his first taste of success and confidence as vocalist. Apart from playing dhols, dotara, mandolin, percussions, Zubeen is an accomplished keyboard player. He broke into professional music scene in 1992, releasing his first album - ''Anamika''. This unusual album, became an instant hit in entire northeast India and re-defined Assamese musical landscape for the coming 21st century. After that, there was no looking back for Zubeen. With about 200 albums to his name, Zubeen continues his musical career directing music to over 24 Assamese movies including a few Hindi and bangla movies as well. He received the best Music Award in 2005, for the Bangla movie Shudhu Tumi. Zubeen considers himself to be a musician having sung more than 9000 songs in various languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Oriya, Bengali, Marathi, Nepali, English, Bodo and many others. The song ''Ya Ali'' from the movie ''Gangster'' became a superhit in mainland India, the Middle East, and across South Asia. Following the success an Album titled 'Ya Ali Remix Blast' containing remix by DJ Suketu & Aks were released.Till date zubeen has sung in more than 50 hindi films.

In 2000, Zubeen wrote, directed and acted (also watched) in his own Assamese film ''Tumi Mor Matho Mor''. He acted, co-produced and scored music in another Assamese film ''Dinabandhu'', for which received a national award in 2005. Zubeen had done music for ''Strings - Bound By Faith'', a Hindi film, directed by Sanjay Jha was released in 2006.his last assamese album was BAHIN. Zubeen came up with his own Hindi album 'Zindagi'in 2007, which received good appreciation.in 2007 zubeen acted in another assamese movie mon jai which got another national award.zubeen also won rajat kamal national award 2007 for best music in short film catagory.

List of Zubeen's albums

Assamese albums

{| |- | valign="top" |

Anamika

Sopunor Sokhi

Meghor Boron

Zubeenor Gaan

Mukti(added by saranga)

Hiya mon

Zubeenor Gaan

Shapoon

Xabda (Sobdo)

Paakhi(2000)

Snigdha Jonak

Shishu(2002)

Maya

Chinaki Mon

Akou Hiya mon

Niribili Godhuli

Lajuki mon

Jantra(2004)

Raang

Rangdhali

Mor Priyo Geet(remake)

Chinaki Sur(Remake)

Rongmaanguunu

Mukha(2006)

Rumal(2008)

Abujan Mon(2010)

Bahi(2010)

Junaki mon

Uroniya mon

Unmona mon

Ringa ringa mon

BAHI

GAAN

List of Hindi album

Chandini Raat

Yuhi Kabhi

Sparsh

Shradhanjali(vol-i, ii & iii)

Nupur

Chanda

Zindagi

Music director in Assamese films

Barud

Bidhata

Daag

Dinobondhu

Rong

Hiya Diya Niya

Jeevan Nadir Duti Paar

Jumon Sumon

Jown Jwole Kopalot

Prem aaru Prem

Priya Milan

Kanyadaan

Mon Jai

Nayak

Tumi Mor Matho Mor

Ekhan nedekha nodir Sipare

Ramdhenu

Awards

Global Indian Film Awards (GIFA) (2006)- Best playback singer (Male) for the song "Ya Ali".

Max Stardust Awards (2007)- New Musical Sensation (Male) for the song "Ya Ali".

Nominated for Film Fare Awards (2007)- Best Play Back Singer.

National Award (Rajat Kamal) (2009) for Best music director (non-feature film category) for his work on film 'Echoes of Silence'(English-Khasi)

Music Direction in Hindi movies & albums

''Strings - bound by faith'' (14 July 2006)

''Dhanyabad-Prashant Tamang'' 2007 (Indian idol 3)

''As The River Flows'' 2011 (upcoming)

! Year	! Songs	! Films	! Language
		As the River Flows (Upcoming)	Hindi
Akela Hoon Mein (Upcoming)	Umang	Hindi
jaana hai	Dum Maaro Dum	Hindi
	Waqt Bada Baimaan O Rabba	Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha	Musaa	Hindi
Ab Mujhko Jeena	Aashayein	Hindi
Wazood Ki Talash	Kuchh Kariye	Hindi
Maula Mere Maula Mere	Aakhri Descision	Hindi
Maula	Mission 11 July	Hindi
	Shola Shola	London Dreams	Hindi
Bansuri	Yeh Mera India	Hindi
Dil main junoon hai	Fastforward	Hindi
	Rab Ka Banda	Hello	Hindi
Yar Mere Dildara	Mission Istanbul	Hindi
Mera Halaat Ye & Tu Jaan Se Pyara (RMX Also)	Deshdrohi	Hindi
Almadad Chere Khuda Mera Yaar	Hastey Hastey	Hindi
Kee Kasoor	Kaise Kahein featuring Neha Jhulka	Hindi
	Teri TamannaTeri Tamanna (Club Mix by Akbar Sami)TeriTamanna (Euro Mix Goldeyy)	The Train	Hindi
Dheere DheereDheere Dheere Remix	Bombay to Bangkok	Hindi
Dard E Dil	Good Boy, Bad Boy	Hindi
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (JBJ)	Jhoom Barabar Jhoom	Hindi
Woh Bheege Pal	Manorama Six Feet Under	Hindi
Dilruba Dilruba (Remix)	Namastey London	Hindi
Shael Sutha Ke Ankhon	My Friend Ganesha	Hindi
Tum Ho	Raqeeb	Hindi
Jag Laal Laal Laal Laal (Part 2)Jag Laal Laal Laal Laal (Part 3)		Hindi
Jeena Kya Tere BinaJeena Kya Tere Bina (Remix)	Kya Love Story Hai	Hindi
Hum Khushi Ki Chah MeinHum Khushi Ki Chah Mein (Rock Mix)	Life Mein Kabhie Kabhiee	Hindi
Ek Din Teri (Remix)	Naqaab	Hindi
Hoga Hoga Khuda Gawah	Nehlle Pe Dehlla	Hindi
Zindagi Aa Gayi	Victoria No. 203	Hindi
Let's Enjoy	Bombay to Goa	Hindi
Ommomme Heego	Hudugaata	Kannada
Yele YeleleYele Yelele	Takkari	Telugu
	Ya Ali		Hindi
Subah Subah		Hindi
Payal Ki Chham Chham	Brides Wanted	Hindi
IshqMantra (om)Piya Milan Ko JaanaRamoRamoRimjhim	Strings - Bound By Faith	Hindi
RabbiRabbi (Remix)	Zindaggi Rocks	Hindi
Janne Kya Janeman	Pyaar Ke Side Effects	Hindi
	Jugnu Ki Payal	Aan: Men at Work	Hindi
Ishq Ishq MeinRabba	Agnipankh	Hindi
Ek Hasina Thi (Remix)	Ek Hasina Thi	Hindi
Rama Re (The Boys Are Back Mix)	Musafir	Hindi
Aane Wala PalAane Wala Pal - 2nd Version	Plan	Hindi
	Dildara	Chupke Se	Hindi
Sapne Saare	Mudda - The Issue	Hindi
	Rama ReSocha Nahin Tha	Kaante	Hindi
Rumal	Maya Namara	Nepali
Sandhya	Sandhya	Hindi
2000	Mere Watan	Fiza	Hindi
1995	Beta Apni Maa Se	Gaddar	Hindi

Zubeen Garg's songs

Zubeen Garg - Life, Music, Movies

Notes

Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:Assamese playback singers Category:Bollywood playback singers Category:Bollywood Category:Indian film singers Category:Indian pop singers Category:Indian male singers Category:Musicians of Assam Category:People from Jorhat Category:Playback singers

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