Jorhat, Dec. 17: The organisers of the 15th edition of Assam Mahotsav will continue to showcase the region's culture and tradition though they apprehend a fall in participation this time due to demonetisation.

Intandem, a socio-cultural organisation founded by social activist Trideev Bordoloi, organises the festival and it is the only festival in the region to be held annually without a break.

The fair will be held at the Jorhat District Sports Association ground from December 28 to January 12.

"Demonetisation will affect the number of stalls participating this year as many of those from outside the state are unwilling to come all the way here and risk losses. There will be a 10 to 20 per cent less stalls, but we are expecting more than 100 stalls from the region," Rajkumar Duarah, one of the members of Intandem, said.

Self-help groups will be allowed to set up stalls free of cost as per Intandem's goal to promote handloom, handicraft and other indigenous products.

Duarah said besides promoting indigenous products, the festival would also focus on folklore, literature and bhaonas (religious plays)which would be shown in various programmes.

Prosenjit Rajkhowa, another Intandem member, said the festival would continue almost till Magh Bihu (January 13-15) and Bihu would be the theme this year.

"We will put on display different types of mejis (pyres) which are part of the Bihu tradition. There will be also a dry leaf meji apart from the Bhela ghar (a straw hut). On the last day these will be set on fire amidst chanting of shlokas as is the tradition. On display there will be a sugarcane juice-extraction equipment which is a household item in every village," Rajkhowa said.

Among other attractions, there will be three puppet shows for children every evening by Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Abani Sharma, a handloom workshop-cum-exhibition and an exhibition of Assam's famous bell metal and brass industry.

"This time we will showcase the rural ambience of Assam," Rajkhowa said.

There will be a drawing event and a photography competition in memory of Bordoloi. For details of various events and competitions one can log on to intandem.assam@gmail.com.

Members of Intandem who will guide visitors are Bondita Dutta Bordoloi, Dilip Kumar Bordoloi, Dipti Sharma, Dipali Saikia, Arup Duara, Mayuri Deka, Sumangal Dutta, Rupamoni Dutta besides Rajkhowa and Duarah.