Music of Assam has a greater
significance when it comes to festival
celebrations. No festival is complete without the rhyme and rhythms of
musical instruments and melodic tunes. The most notable and unique music
is of the Bihu festival.
Composition Of Bihu Songs
The language of the Bihu songs has changed from generation to generation.
The songs are composed in couplets that rhyme and are almost always
accompanied by a distinctive form of dancing, and each couplet depicts a
different emotion. The language is simple and suggestive, and the style is
neat and clear. Scholars agree that the songs have no influence of
Sanskrit.
The Bihu songs have exercised great influence on Assamese literature.
Even the translator (Madhav Deva, 1849-1596 AD) of the great Hindu epic
Ramayana and the great hymn composer Shankardeva (1449-1569 AD) could not
escape their influence.
At the current time, Mukoli Bihus are not common any more. In towns and
cities, there are well-organized Bihu fairs where professional or amateur
troupes perform Bihu songs on stage with accompanying dancing. "Bihu
Kunwori" or "The Princess of the Bihu" contests are held
widely. In these contests, young women compete in dancing to the tune of
Bihu songs. The best dancer is given the title of Bihu Kunwori.