For Assam-born Devoleena Bhattacherjee, Rongali Bihu is a time to look ahead with hope and gratitude. As she celebrates the Assamese New Year, she wishes for new opportunities and growth for her family, friends, and everyone.
Her childhood memories of Bihu are filled with colour, music, and tradition. She recalls celebrating with traditional music, dance, and feasts, dressing up in the traditional mekhela chador, and attending events with friends.
As a mother of a 1.5-year-old baby boy, she believes motherhood has only deepened her connection with the festival. She insists that being a mother never takes away individuality, but makes one more responsible, and that a child brings more celebration to any festival.
Devoleena plans to pass on her cultural roots to her son, taking him to Assam during Bihu so he can experience and remember the festival. She's excited to dress him up in traditional attire and create special memories.
In her household, Bihu becomes part of a larger celebration of togetherness, bringing together different cultural backgrounds. She celebrates each other's festivals with love, blessings, and brotherhood.
At the core of her Bihu celebrations lies a deeply personal ritual she continues to uphold, praying for her family and preparing an Assamese feast with traditional pitha, sticky rice delicacies, and jolpaan.
