First Polo Club of the World was set up in Silchar, Assam

Silchar, a small town of the northeastern state Assam, was the place where British formed the first Polo Club of the world. Silchar is also the headquarter of the Cachar district of Assam. The commemorative inscription for this feat still stand at the back side of the District Library, Silchar and the first competitive modern form of Polo was also played out in Silchar. In the 1850’s, British tea planters discovered the game in Manipur (Munipoor) on the Burmese border with India.

Bhuvan Pahar, pilgrim spot in Assam

Bhuvan Pahar is situated in the north-eastern state of Assam. This is famous for the Shiva temple situated at the top of this hill, where thousands of people from various parts of the state visit during Maha Shivratri and Dol Purnima to worship Lord Shiva. This hill is situated almost 50 km away from the town Silchar of Assam. This is a very significant pilgrimage place of Assam. One can reach the foot of the hills by bus or any private car. The nearest town is Silchar, from where bus services are offered during Shivratri and Dol Purnima. From Motinagar, a small place at the foot of the hill, one can either take small car or start walking upto Panichowki. From this place, the pilgrims can only walk and no vehicle can go beyond this place. Many Khasi families live at Panichowki and earn their livelihood by selling paan and supari . It takes almost 3 to 4 hours to climb the hill and to reach the place where the famous Shiva temple is situated. On the way, there lies a renowned Lakshmi cave temple. It is believed that only virtuous and devoted people can reach there. But many people do not take the risk and directly approach towards the Bhuvan Baba's temple at the top. It is an amazing experience to pass a whole night at the top oh this hill from where a far view of the Mizoram hills can be watched. It is also better to spend a night there as it becomes very tiresome to return on the same day. People usually climb the hill with sticks on their hand to support as it is very steep. The pilgrims sometime take some packed food with them and few prepare their food going there, which becomes more or less like a picnic. Some local vendors also set up their stalls during this season.

OJHA dance, a religious dance form of Barak Valley, Assam

'Ojha', the term usually means the name given to the profession of an exorcist. Ojha can also be a healer, or a teacher, such as of a religious dance. But, Ojha dance is a total different idea. It is a religious dance form performed mainly in the Barak valley of North-Eastern state of Assam.

Ojha dance is performed by a single male performer. He wears a long skirt and a kurta. He performs taking a 'chamar' (a broom kind of thing) in his hands. This dance form is usually performed at the time of 'Bishari' ( a goddess) puja mainly in the fourth Bengali month 'Shravan' (July-August) in Panchami tithi. The dancer also recites mythological story realted to 'Behula', 'Lakhindar' and 'Chand saudagar', a trader.

The story goes like this. Chand saudagar', the trader is a great devotee of Lord Shiva and respected person. The goddess 'Bishari' wants to Chand to worship her so that all the people in the earth start worshipping her follwing him. But Chand is adament and he denies to worship any other god apart from Lord Shiva. At this, the goddess becomes furious and one by one she kills all the six sons of Chand.

Lakhindar is the seventh son of Chand, who gets married to a noble lady called Behula. On their marriage day, the goddess sends her snake to kill Lakhinder. Assuming that Chand already build a strong protective house for the newly wed by Lord Viswakarma. But, the god also had left a hole for the snake as the goddess ordered to him. On, the wedding night, the snake enters their room and bites Lakhinder. On finding this, Behula, the noble wife took him to Lord Shiva crossing lots of barriers and troubles. She performed a very attractive and dedicated dance. At this, Lord Shiva was impressed and he ordered the goddess to return life of Lakhinder. The goddess agreed on a condition that Chand must worship her. Behula agrees and promises that her father-in-law will surely perform the puja. Lakhinder gets back his life and they return to their home.

Then, Behula requests Chand to perform the worship of goddess 'Bishari', also known as 'Manasa'. Chand agrees for tha sake of saving the life of his son but on a condition that he will perform the puja with his left hand as he worships Lord Shiva with the right one. After he performs puja, all his sons get back their life.

In Ojha dance, the performer elaborates this "Manasa mangal" story in poetical and musical form. Some other people sit around with 'karatal' and perform in chorus. This age old dance form is now becoming extinct as the young generation is hardly interested to perform this. But, we need to revamp this dance so that the next generation can get an idea of their traditional dance form.

Dhamail, popular folk dance of Barak Valley

Dhamail is a popular folk dance of Barak Valley, which has its origin in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Radha Raman Dutta (born 1833, died 1915), also known as Radha Romon, Bhaibe Radha Romon or Radha Raman, was an influential Sylheti folk music composer and poet from the Sunamganj District in Sylhet, Bangladesh. He is considered as the father of dhamail folk dance and music.

Now, this dance form is diminishing and losing its glamour in the age of multimedia. But, it still survives three districts of Assam, Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi. Tripura, the neighbouring state of Assam also has some traces of this folk dance.

Dhamail dance is performed by a group of ladies. Ladies move in circle clapping their hands to the beat of the music. The songs are first sung by the leader and then the others join the chorus. The ladies wear sari in Bengali style while performing this dance form. The lyrics mainly relate to Shyam (Krishna) and Radha. Gradually the beat/tempo increases and finally reaches the cresendo. Breaks are then given so that the ladies can have paan and guava or tea.

The dance form is performed during almost every occasion. The dhamail songs vary from festival to festival. For marriages, annaprasan, Dol Purnima, there are different lyrics of dhamail songs. In fact, every ritual of marriage has a different dhamail song. This dance form do not include any other instruments apart from hand claps and sometimes 'karatal' is used.

In the age of modernisation, youths are loosing interest in this ancient dance form. But, it is very necessary for us to keep it alive so that next generation do not read it only in history books.


Famous Songs by Radha Romon

* Bhromor Koio Giya
* Kare Dhekabo Moner Dhukko
* Sham Chikon Kalia
* Bologo Bologo Shoki
* Moneh nai Moneh nai
* Jole Jaio na Gho Rai
* Oh Bashi re
* Sham Na Ki Cholila
* Jole Gia Chilam Shoi
* Ami Robo na Robo na Grihe...

Slumdog kid stars get flats, no education...!!!

After the success story of the British director Danny Boyle's film "Slumdog Millionaire", two children of the slum, who acted in the film became lucky to earn an announcement from Government allowing flat to each of them. But, is it enough? Will it serve the purpose at all? These children, who do not get three times proper meal and basic education, will now reside in flats. But, who will take care of their basic education and healthcare that is completely neglected in any of Indian slum area. Even if, these two children get their part, what about the rest of others?

There are lakhs of children still striving for food in slum area of the country. But, they do not attract the attention of the Ministers and government untill and unless any foreign director come to make a film on them. My question is that why these slums should exist at all? When the country speaks of globalistaion of economy and luxury cars, there are still people who have not the basic right to have three times meal.

India have millionaires and billionaires who are awarded with lots of pomp and gaity. But these people do not have minimum sense of responsibility to make the country overall deveoped. If each of them could take responsibilty of atleast of such child, there could have been a little difference.

Happy Dushera and Shubho Bijoya...

After month long wait Durga Puja came and all the Hindu people celebrated the festival with lots of happiness. Now, Maa Durga has again left all for one year and the Goddess will come again in the next year. But, for the people of West Bengal, Tatas have probably left for ever. Mamata Banerjee is very happy and celebrating her victory. But, those who have lost job due to Tatas pull back from Singur are left in dark...what will happen to those hundreds of youth and their family? Will Mamata answer this question??