Ranjit Gogoi can be termed as the states cultural ambassador, Assamese Bihu which he has been performing with great aplomb. For him it has become a mission to promote and popularise Asomiya culture, dance, music, songs in western shores. His selfless work paid dividends when he eventually landed at London Heathrow airport with his Bihu team on 9 June, 2011. His mission was completed when he gave a scintillating performance at the prestigious Nehru Centre organised by Rini Kakati.On June 11 Nehru Centre (the cultural wing of Indian High Commission) presented a stunning confluence of Bihu with dhol, pepa, gagana by Ranjit Gogoi's troupe - Seetarani Hazarika, Jahnabi Goswami and Bonnya Duarah for the first time in London. This prestigious event was initiated by Monika Kopil Mohta, Director of Nehru Centre (Minister & Culture). The cultural programme was attended by Lord Dholakia & Lady Ann, Dr. Christopher Young, Head of World Heritage and International Policy, Elizabeth Darcy. Britain's Tea Poet, Jitendra Kumar, First Secretary (Consular & Community Affairs) Indian High Commission , Amit Roy, well-known journalist, The Daily Telegrah & Eastern Eye, Ravi Sharma Executive director of Sunrise radio and television - (the biggest Asian Radio station in the world) and Mrs. Jasminder Kasturia. (Counsellor & Political) Indian High Commission.The Bihu dance and jhumur dance held the audience spellbound. The performance came to a grand finale the audience joining the tune of bihu.On 13 June, His troupe performed jhumur at House of Lords. He gets an invitation to come and join the Lord Mayor show in London. On 15, June, Rosmary Crill, Senior Curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum invited the bihu team to view the Brindabani Bastra.On 17 June, Indian High Commission invited the Assam team including Mrinal Talukdar for a tea party as a good will mission. Syed Asif Ibrahim, Minister for Co-ordination invited Ranjit Gogoi's troupe for their next performance organised by Indian High Commission. On 19 June, Ravi Sharma Executive director of Sunrise television invited the Bihu team to Vishwa Hindu Kendra, Southall organised during the visit by His Divine Grace Jagadguru Shankaracharya, who hails from Assam and a Gauhati University graduate. He spoke highly of Bihu as Assam's valentine's day. And praised Assam as a pioneer of vaishnavite culture - Sankaradev and Madhadev. The whole Indian audience regardless of caste, creed and religion join hands and dance bihu.Pictures: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AssamSociety/attachments/folder/1015922775/item/1476294930/view Rini Kakati _______________________________________________ assam mailing list [email protected] http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
