Mahabahu Utsav to showcase untity through culture

GUWAHATI, February 6: With an objective to highlight the rich cultural heritage of Assam, Cuitral Affairs Department is going to celebrate a Mega Cultural Event titled Mahabahu Utsavin Guwahati on February 9 and February 10 next at Sonaram HS School playground.

“Assam has several ethnic communities residing in the State. Their demand for separate development or autonomous councils is legitimate, but culturally we are one. To prove it, we are holding this festival, which will be an annual event,” said Minister for Cultural Affairs Pranati Phukan in a press meet held in the city today.

The two-day festival would be formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on February 9 evening. Prior to its formal inauguration by the Chief Minister, a cultural procession will also be taken out on in the city. The rally will start from Judges’ Field and will continue to the festival venue.

“The theme for the inaugural session of Mahabahu Utsav is Unity Through Culture,” Phukan further said.

The festival will have a series of events that include- recreation of rural Assam through ethnic huts of the different communities; demonstration of traditional cooking in huts; demonstration of making of traditional handicraft, toys, agricultural implements; demonstration of weaving of handicraft; exhibition on historic sites and monuments of Assam; food court specializing on ethnic food; sale point for handloom and handicraft; children playground with demonstration of traditional games of Assam; sand sculpture; art and sculpture exhibition; video shows of old/award winning films/documentaries of Assam to be organized by Assam Film Finance Development Corporation; apparel shows every evening to exhibit traditional outfit; display of Fanush and Fireworks by the artists of Barpeta.

Grand cultural programme has also been organised that will include the performance of the festival theme song. Several artists like Zubeen Garg, Manas Rabin, as well as many folk traditional artists of different ethnic groups of various parts of Assam will also perform in this two-day cultural extravaganza.

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