While face to face with the socio-cultural life and the natural panorama of Assam, one generally field incited and highly delighted to write and draw about its picturesque landscape and culture.
Culture in India has variegated forms, hence, it is like a necklace. Assam the “Land of Rising Sun” is properly known for its unique nature, culture and traditions, more so its variety of dances.
Of various ethnic groups of people who are living in Assam with their rich culture, the Boros or the Bodos are also one. They are a branch of the Indo-Mongoloid family who are still able to follow their traditional customs, beliefs and practices. Actually speaking “their identity is not uniform as an ethnic group”. It is so because different names are used to designate them in different places as for example, in upper Assam they are called as Sonowal and Thengal Kachari on the one hand, while in Western Assam they are known as Boros or Boro-Kacharis on the other.
The Boros are very ancient inhabitants of Assam. They have been living in almost all the districts of Assam. Their population is not a poor one. They have contributed much to the culture of Assam. In the words of Dr. Promod Chandra Bhattacharya __ “The Mongoloid Boro culture of Assam has to some extent influenced the Indio (Indo-Aryan) Assamese culture and nice versa”.
The Boros observe many festivals and ceremonies and enjoy some dances in their social life. Of the important dances enjoyed by them mention may be made of the “Bagurumba dance” and the Doudini or the Deodhani dance.
THE BAGARUMBA OR BAGURUMBA DANCE
The Bagarumba or Bagurumba dance is an important dance of the Bodos of Assam, which attracts them as other dances in their social life. This dance has a peculiarity as it has a special attraction for the Bodo girls. It is so specially in creating a festive mood of much gaiety and merriment of the dance. However, it is the dance in which only the girls can participate. It is instituted just after the hard plantation work of the people. This dance does much to relieve them of their pain of the work.
The Bagurumba dance is a spring time dance of the Bodos of Assam. The hidden matters of the Bathou Puja are found in this dance. However, the Boro girls put on their traditional dresses and dance like butter flies spreading out their dances. The dance is instituted only to appease or propitiate “Bathou”, the supreme god of the Boros. The Boros regard the Sizu Plant (Euphorbia Splenden) as the symbol of this deity or god. The Bagurumba dance is also called “butterfly dance” as the dancers i.e. the dancing girls dance like butterflies. The dancers dance uttering “bagurumba hay bagurumba” etc.
The Bagurumba dance is considered as a light dance. This dance is not only attractive but also solemn. It may be remembered that the song of this dance gives us a simple description of the world of nature.
DOUDINI OR DEODHINI DANCE OF THE BOROS OR THE BODOS
The Doudini or Deodhini dance forms an important part in the Kherai Puja of the Boros of Assam. The term Deodhini is derived from the Sanskrit word “Deva” which means god or deity and “Dhani” means sound, i.e. echo. Hence the term “Deodhini” literally means the sound or utterings of a god or deity. But Dr. Maheswar Neog gives a different meaning of the word. He opines that Deodhini Devadhani is originated from “Deva” which means god and “Dhani” means woman.
The girl selected for a Deodhani must possess of some bodily qualities. She must be a girl who has attained youth. She must be of slender body. Her body’s middle part must be lean or thin. Moreover, her breasts must be high on the one hand while her buttocks must be wide on the other. The Deodhini is celibate.
During the time of dancing the Deodhini wears a special type of cleaned dress. Her girdle is of black or red colour. There is is a yellow or red coloured “Gamosa” around her waist. She does not wear any shirt at the moment of dancing. Moreover, she wears different kinds of ornaments. Of them mention may be made of nose-rings, ear-rings, different kinds of necklaces, bracelets and small drum like talismans. Besides these ornaments she marks a big vermilion mark on her forehead on the one hand and ties a “Kachari Khopa” (i.e. Boro or Kachari Plait) or a heart-shaped plait on her hair. Thus she becomes very beautiful and hence attractive.
It has already been mentioned the importance of the Deodhani or Doudini in the Kherai Puja. In the words of Dr. Kameswar Brahma it has been expressed thus__ “The Doudini is the key dancer during the Kherai Puja”. She performs all the items of the puja with the help of the Oja and a githal. However, two drum beaters, two players of slphung, two players of Jotha are also necessary to help the Deodhini to perform the Puja in a successful way.
During the Puja the Deodhani shows three stages of activities. Being charmed by the Oja she falls into a trance and goes on dancing appeasing many gods or deities beginning with the Bathou or Siva and ending with Lakshmi. She at one stage dances a virile war-dance taking a sword and a shield. Her movement in each stage means for a different deity. So the tune of the siphung and the beat of the will be different according to which she changes her body-movements. After the ending of the dance the Deodhini predicts the fortune of the people and their other matters when she is asked by the people participated in the Puja.
The Kherai Puja and the Deodhini or Doudini dance are of great important in the life of the Boros. They are inseperable. The Puja is followed by the dance. They are two important valuable resources of the culture of Assam. However, at present the Deodhini dance is going to be extinct in no time. But we should be alive to it and do the needful for its revival by justified thinking and performance.
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