Hitesh Barua, working president of the All Assam Cultural Organisation, speaks at the news conference in Guwahati on Wednesday. Picture by UB Photos

Guwahati, Feb. 5: This year Bohag Bihu will not be about only Bihu dance.

Instead, people here will be visually treated to the colourful traditional dance forms of all the ethnic communities residing across the state during the festive season at Latasil playground.

The All Assam Cultural Organisation, a cultural organisation, will hold a two-day cultural fest — Guwahati Cultural Festival — at the venue on April 8 and 9 as part of its Bohag Bihu celebrations.

For the organisers, this cultural festival is, however, a way to bridge the widening gap between the different ethnic communities residing in the state and erase their cultural alienation.

The show will also feature performances by popular Assamese artistes like Angaraag Papon Mahanta, Zubeen Garg and many other talented singers.

“We are organising a cultural festival at the Latasil Playground on April 8 and 9 during which different indigenous communities of Assam will come together to celebrate their rich cultural heritage. They will also showcase their traditional folk music and dance forms on the occasion. We sincerely hope this will help different communities to get a better understanding into the way of life and customs of each other. This in turn will inspire them to respect each other and co-exist together peacefully,” Kiran Gogoi, the general secretary of the All Assam Cultural Organisation, said during a news conference here today.

“We are deeply saddened by the strife that is taking place among the different communities of the state. Each feels that they are being alienated and are struggling to establish a cultural identity of their own. This is again leading to violence and social unrest. Each and every community is an integral part of Assam and everyone has to learn to coexist. Only then can peace reside permanently in our society,” Hitesh Barua, the working president of the organisation, said.

Assamese danseuse Indira P.P. Bora said the festival would provide a platform for different communities to present their rich heritage.

Moreover, the organisation aims to work towards preserving the language and culture of different ethnic communities and establish research centres.

It also aspires to set up 1,000 mini cinema halls in 27 districts of the state where screening of Assamese films will be given priority as a means to restore the ailing film industry.