Assam Mahotsav celebrated in Jorhat

The annual Assam Mahotsav, which was held here recently, is that time of the year when Assamese in Jorhart town cherish a revisit to their original culture. The event aims to revive and preserve the glorious history of peaceful coexistence.

By Apem Kamodang

Guwahati, Dec.2 : The annual Assam Mahotsav, which was held here recently, is that time of the year when Assamese in Jorhart town cherish a revisit to their original culture. The event aims to revive and preserve the glorious history of peaceful coexistence.

With this objective, the Assam Mahotsav is organized every year by residents of Jorhart town, located 314 kilometres from Guwahati astride National Highway 37, in association with some non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The place has been a historic and cultural hub in upper Assam since the Ahom Kingdom

The cultural festival lends an opportunity to local traders and traditional handloom and handicraft makers to showcase their products. Many stalls are set up to sell various traditional handloom and handicraft products.

Traditional clothes, decorative items and food can be noticed all around during the festival, which is hard to find these days due to mechanisation and modernisation. The occasion witnesses a revisit to the original culture of Assam.

Prafulla Sharma, a stall owner during the festival, said: "All these are traditional instruments. Initially, I played clamte. After that I played Bapaylan, an instrument played during Bihu festival. I have made all of them from my own hands. Later, I played Hutuli, an instrument created from soil."

For local shopkeepers, the festival means a brisk sale.

M. Allaudin Ahmed, a handicraft stall owner, said: "I really feel good after coming to the Mahotsav. The sales are also brisk and I feel good about it."

The festival is also an attempt to boost the economic well-being of people involved in the production of handmade products. Traditional Assamese food is also available.

Vatsh Kris, a visitor, said: "It's a very nice evening at the Assam Mahotsav and we are enjoying ourselves."

Birinchi Baruah, one of the visitors, said: "Assam Mahotsav is famous all over the State. People are enjoying themselves arriving in hordes everyday. We have come here to enjoy some great food." Geetha Baruah, a shopkeeper selling traditional Assamese outfits, was happy about a special fashion show organised on the occasion.

"A unique fashion show was also organized on this occasion where it was not all about young babes, but, elderly folks donned the outfits and walked the ramp showcasing the immense beauty of the ethnic dresses as well as their durability," said Geetha.

She said: "Assam has so much to offer to the country and people want to show that to the world outside. What hampers them is the insurgency in the State. By organizing such Mahotsavs, the people of the State want to send the message that nefarious forces just cannot stop the forces of progress in the state."

ANI