Sixth edition of ‘Rongali’ begins today, special impetus on ‘vocal for local’

Guwahati: The 6th edition of ‘Rongali’, the biggest and the most colorful festival of Assam, is back with a bang after a gap of two years. The three-day event will commence from April 8 at Veterinary College Ground, Khanapara, Guwahati and will be inaugurated by the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The sixth edition of the fiesta is emphasizing on ‘Vocal for Local’ and conducting an exhibition that will see the attendance of 200 entrepreneurs, self-help groups, start-ups, agri-entrepreneurs, weavers, artisans, farmer producing companies, government agencies and industrial organizations.

‘Rongali’ will showcase products made in Assam such as Gahori brand of meat, Bahubali eggs, Repose, Kanyaka and Gorukhuti, plenty of products by Start Up entrepreneurs, large exhibition of Agro & allied products by APART. Besides, spectacular Assam handloom products to be displayed by weavers and artisans from across Assam.

Various cuisines from entire India will be on display at Rongali fest. Food of various Assam’s tribes and communities, such as Bodo, Mising, Karibi, Tiwa, Dimasa, will be presented during the 3-day extravaganza. The food exhibition will be curated by food blogger Dr. Geeta Dutta and will present myriad dishes from all the tribes and communities of Assam. NGO, Priyobandhu will organize a food competition of ethnic foods, Veg, Non-veg and Sweet Dishes with large number of participation from across Assam.

“We started Rongali in 2015 with an aim to showcase the ethnic mosaic of Assam and promote the spectacular music, dance, crafts, and food culture of the state. Over the years, Rongali has become a meeting point of various communities on a one colourful mosaic of Assam. Rongali has become a platform for budding artistes, entrepreneurs,” said Shyamkanu Mahanta, Chief Organiser, Rongali.

“Rongali 2022 will also bring entire facets of Assam under one roof. Bodo, Mising, Dimasa, Rabha, Gorkha, Tea tribes, Moran, Karbi etc various communities will display their colourful culture. Special Exhibition of Tea tribe communities will be a major attraction,” Mahanta said.

Shyamkanu Mahanta said: “Multi-cuisine food exhibition has always been a major attraction of the festival. This time special importance has been given to the expansion of Assamese food. In addition to this, attractive shops of Assamese and Indian food have been arranged in Rongali.”

Bihu Husori and Bihuwati competitions will be one of the major attractions of the festival.  There will be a competition of 500-years-old Ankiya Bhaona. Around 50 Artists will showcase their artwork at Rongali fest.

In order to nurture the talents of musicians of Assam, there will be an Open Mic, Hip Hop stage where music, poetry sessions and other activities will be held.

‘Rongali Good Vibes Music Stage’ will have fresh and some of the famed names including Sannidhya Bhuyan, Bhaskar Opswel, Dipakshi Kalita, Prabin Bora, Diptanil Baruah, sister duo Aparupa Satrupa and many more along with Zubeen Garg, Raghu Dixit and Bipul Chetri.

Rongali will organize special screenings of blockbuster Assamese movies. On 8^th evening, Dr. Bezbaruah 2 produced by AM Television’s music and poster release will be organized before the performance of Zubeen Garg.

Spectacular fashion shows by the best designers, models, and showstoppers, who will showcase the rich handloom and fabrics of the region, will be major attraction of the colourful fiesta. One of the major attractions of Rongali this time is Shruti Haasan, Bollywood star and musician, who will be present at Rongali along with talented artist from Assam, Shantanu Hazarika.

There is no entry fee and the programme will start from 11 AM and continue till 10 PM.

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