People gather to lay the first pillar of the Bihu stage of Pub Guwahati Bihu Sanmilan at Chandmari on Sunday. Picture by UB Photos

April 7: This year the non-resident Assamese will miss the sights and sounds of Bihu a little less, thanks to the organisers of one of the oldest Bihu pandals here — Pub Guwahati Bihu Sanmilan — who will be webcasting their programmes.

The Chandmari bihutoli, as Pub Guwahati Bihu Sanmilan is commonly known, will upload its day-to-day programmes during the four-day Bihu celebration on their website, www.pgbs.in, so that those who live outside the state or country can catch a glimpse of the festivities.

“The day-to-day programmes will be uploaded on the website of the xanmilan. Each programme will be available on the net the next day,” said Pallab Kumar Bora, publicity in-charge of the Sanmilan.

The xanmilan, which began its journey in 1962, celebrated its 50th year of Rongali Bihu celebrations two years ago with an array of programmes at the Assam Engineering Institute playground at Chandmari.

The celebrations were broadcast live through satellite TV.

“As one of the oldest Bihu xanmilans here, we are trying our best to celebrate it in an attractive way. We have requested various bihu troupes across the state to perform during the four-day programme beginning on April 14. We have received positive responses from them. Hope our xanmilan will be the meeting point of the best bihu troupes of the state,” said another organiser.

The main pillar of the Bihu stage for the programme was laid at the Assam Engineering Institute playground today to welcome the state’s biggest festival, which is just a week away.

A series of programmes and competitions have also been lined up as part of the festivities. On the first day, children’s litterateur Arup Kumar Dutta will release a souvenir, Gagana.

The organiser said the xanmilan would hold various competitions like painting and games among children. There will be cultural programmes every evening.

“The best bihu troupe, the best bihua and the best dancer will be selected on April 15 while the Asom Bihuwati competition will be held on April 16,” an organiser said.

Other Bihu xanmilans in the city are also gearing up to celebrate the festival. While the Ulubari Bihu Xanmilan laid its main pillar last week, the Latasil bihutoli will screen a documentary, Oitiyamondito Latasil Bihutali 1952-2012 Khristabdo (The historic Latasil Bihutali from 1952 to 2012 AD), by filmmaker Rajib Hari Kaushik, tracing the history of the xanmilan.