| Bihu
is the most popular folk dance of Assam. The people of Assam are very
proud of it and rightly so. Except Bhangra no other folk dance in
India can compete with the rythmic exuberance of Bihu. Bihu dances
performed by young boys and girls characterised by brisk stepping,
flinging and flipping of hands and swaying of hips represents youthful
passion, reproductive urge and 'Joie-de-vivre'.
The Bihu is the most widespread folk dance of Assam
and is enjoyed by all, young and old, rich and poor. The dance is
part of the Bihu festival, that comes in mid-April, when harvesting
is done, and continues for about a month. The participants are young
men and girls, who gather in the open, in daytime. They dance together,
but there is no mixing of the sexes. The dance is supported by drums
and pipes. In between, the performers sometimes sing, usually of
love. The most common formation is the circle or parallel rows.
The Bihu demonstrates, through song and dance, the soul of the Assamese
at its richest.
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