Expression of Experience

Bhuvan Pahar is the nearest and cheapest pilgrim spot for the people of Barak Valley, situated in the Nnorth-Eastern state of Assam. This place is famous for the Shiva temple situated at the top of this hill. Thousands of people from various parts of the state flock to Bhuvan Pahar during the 'Maha Shivratri' and 'Dol Purnima' to worship Lord Shiva. On the way to the Bhuban Situated almost 50 kms away from the heart of town Silchar, it is a very significant pilgrimage place of Assam. Car and bus services are available till the foot of the hill. Buses and cars can be availed from Silchar as per the requirement. Special buses are run during the festive season in the month of February and March. These transportation modes take you upto Motinagar, a small place at the foot of the hill. However, if one has private car, then they can take it upto Panichowki, a few kilometres up the hill. The road is broad and good till this point. From this place, the pilgrims...

'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 totally a 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. Now, ladies also perform. 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 related to ' Behula ', 'Lakhindar' and ' Chand saudaga r', a trader. The story goes like this. Chand saudagar', the trader was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and a respected person. The goddess 'Bishari' wants  Chand to worship her so that al...

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 charm in the age of multimedia. But, it still survives in the 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 usually performed by group of ladies. Ladies move rhythmically in circle clapping their hands to the beat of the music. The songs are first sung by the leader and then the other group members join the chorus. The ladies wear saree in a typical Bengali style while performing this dance form. The lyrics ma...