"Uribole ase akakh Uri uri jai duroniloi Haje bidekhot ghar Nijanot monot pore Bidekhot apun manuh Bidekhot apun manuh"
“Bidekhot apun Manuh” literally translating to “Our own people abroad” used to be a popular Television show telecasted in DD-Kendra every Sunday evening. Covering travelogues of NRIs living in Assam, hosted by Bobbeeta Sharma (First Miss NE) this series touched upon every kid who with their starry eyes glued on TV wanted to settle abroad faraway from Assam to earn their livelihood.
Well, this kid right here, wants to go back in time and give her childhood-self a pat in her head and scream, “What the hell were you thinking?” Why today, you ask?
Well… It’s not just today. Every New Years’ Eve when I miss the family gatherings and dancing around the bonfire, cooking lip-smacking meat dishes to devour into or every Bihu when I visit the family WhatsApp groups or statuses of my relatives celebrating Uruka, dancing around in a Meji (bonfire) to Bihu songs and celebrating the state’s harvest, being a little nostalgic is only natural. However in my case, a Piscean in me calls up my mother or my best friend and nags my heart out about how it sucks to be away from your hometown during Bihu or just sulk in the corner and think about how I can make my Bihu a little less lonely.
That’s when I call up my non-Assamese friends home, attempt to cook an Assamese meal by myself and give them a taste of Assam. Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu is a celebration of the state’s harvest by the Assamese and the indigenous tribes of Assam. Bhogali, meaning the enjoyment of eating Bhog is a merriment of feasts by lighting bonfires (Meji), dancing around to Bihu songs and performing prayers to the lord of fire. The women folks in the household prepares an array of laaru, pitha, paayokh etc.; while tribal communities ferments their rice beers in advance as a beverage on the D-Day.
During my school days, not knowing the importance of the festivities, a holiday meant a day to sleep. While my younger cousins climbed upon and poked me in an irksome manner to wake me up, everybody failed except Dad who used to return from the daily bazaar and scream at me for not waking up early on a festive day, let alone taking a bath. I wake up, bathe myself, sit for breakfast while Dad prepares a breakfast platter of Doi (Curd), Gur (Jaggery), Sira (Flattened rice) with a side of Jilaapi (from Manpasand Sweets) – Cream (From Radhyesham) combination, a tradition Bihu breakfast.
Today, as the music of “Bidexot Aapun Manuh” plays in my background and I write this, sitting in my house with no celebration around me, I do not indulge in a hefty expensive meal available only in one restaurant in Bangalore with Assamese food that is not satisfactory enough to give me festive feels or meet up strangers from my state when all my life I have embarrassingly introduced myself to strangers talking in Assamese saying, “Apuni Oxomiya ne? Moi’u Axom’or. Kor pora Apuni?” including an onsite Assamese manager in my office yesterday (laughs). Today, for the first time, I attempt an Assamese meal, feed to my close friends and as I see them devouring into the Patolia Omita di Murghir Jhul (Local Chicken Curry with Papaya) and Bengena-Bilahi pitika (Burnt Brinjal and Tomato Mash), licking their fingers and asking for more, a festive feel is achieved and I feel a little less lonely.
How are you celebrating Bihu/Lohri/Makar Sankranti/Pongal?
Happy Bhogali Bihu everyone!
On my plate:
- Patolia Bhootjolokia, Kaji Nemu & Omita di Murghir Jhul (Light Chicken Curry with Ghost Pepper, Kaffir Lime, Papaya and Baby Potatoes)
- Bhaat (Steamed Rice)
- Sukaan maasor chutney (Dry fish chutney)
- Dhoniya Paator chutney (Coriander chutney)
- Guti Aloo bhaaji (Baby potato fry)
- Koni (Omelette)
- Pura Nohoru-Begena-Bilahi pitika (Roasted garlic-brinjal-tomato mash)
If you liked this food story and want to see more of this mother-daughter duo, don’t forget to reach out to us at rannabaati00@gmail.com and our Instagram Handle @rannabaati by Oliva Das. We look forward to your requests and feedback!
Ranna Baati 