Guwahati: The fourth edition of Rongali tourism festival will be held from January 19 to 21 at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra here.

Rongali, an extravaganza of art, music, food, including various competitions and talks on entrepreneurship, has proved to be a crowd-puller.

Shyamkanu Mahanta, the chief organiser of Rongali, said the festival will bring some of the most talented young artistes of region, creating a canvas for art, including doodle art, string art, hyper-realism and graffiti, and will celebrate icons like Sukaphaa, Chilarai, Lachit Borphukan and Bhupen Hazarika.

The festival will also showcase the lives and culture of indigenous communities of the state. The organisers have lined up events like ankia bhaona, mukhabhaona, choreography competition, national-level rock band competition, different dance forms of the region and a crafts exhibition.

Mahanta said Assamese food will be one of the main attractions. He said around 20 designers, comprising the best of the region, will showcase their designer wear.

With support from the sports and youth affairs department of the state government a traditional boat race will also be organised at Dighalipukhuri on January 19.

"This year, Rongali will bring some of the finest bands of the country. Arun Das, the rock star of yesteryears, will make a comeback on the first day of the show," Mahanta said. He said entrepreneurship would be the main focus of Rongali.

"On January 20, we are organising Rongali Advantage Assam Start Up & Entrepreneurship Conclave, which will be attended by some of the most talented Assamese in the field of entrepreneurship, corporate sector, sports and music, who will interact with young Assamese people aspiring to be entrepreneurs," Mahanta said.