Sivasagar, Dec. 18: Rongpur, the ancient capital of the Ahoms, has a number of monuments that bear testimony to its glorious past. These include the Talatal Ghar, Rangghar and the Joysagar tank. Already a major tourist attraction, with people thronging to visit the relics of the golden Ahom era, it overcame a decadal interregnum to witness a glittering ceremony, Rongpur Unnayan Utsav, this morning.
Organised with an aim to portray the huge tourism potential of Sivasagar district, the three-day event is a celebration of the rich historic legacy of Rongpur, the capital of the ancient Ahom kingdom.
Inaugurating the festival, education minister Sarat Borkataky, while welcoming the initiative undertaken by the Sivasagar district administration, said it must be held every year. He also donated Rs 2 lakh for the event.
Sivasagar deputy commissioner Virendra Mittal delivered the welcome address. The first edition of the festival was held in 2005.
Joysagar has been spruced up to welcome visitors to the festival. Rangghar and Talatal Ghar have been illuminated and beautified. The roads leading to the festival site have been given a major facelift with a fresh coat of paint and lights all around.
The atmosphere of Rongpur was enveloped in melody as different cultural troupes representing different tribes and linguistic groups in traditional attire performed at the venue.
The crowd welcomed the 60-member Ao Naga cultural troupe from Nokpu Village of Mokokchung district in Nagaland with thunderous applause as it performed a traditional dance. L. Yanger Walling, chairman of Nokpu Village Council, said during the 14th century, a Naga couple lost their way during a forest detour and found themselves taken hostage by the elephant-hunting party of the Ahom king. "This incident signifies the first meeting between the Ahoms and the Ao Nagas", he said.
He said Sentishil, better known as Talime or Dalimi in Assam, belonged to their village. "Dalimi was married to Ahom king Gadadhar Singha or Godapani. A gate - Assiringiah Duar - was established at Nokpu village in honour of the father-in-law of the Ahom king," he said.
Another major attraction on the inaugural day was the dance to the theme song by 150 students of different colleges of Sivasagar, choreographed by Nilakhi Borgohain and Dilip Das.
Organisers said the festival would serve as a platform for various ethnic tribes of Assam and the Northeast as well as other parts of India to display their rich culture and heritage. "Each day of the festival will feature a cultural evening. Other attractions of the festival are exhibitions of traditional handicraft, bamboo and cane products, food court, clay model of Assam history, traditional sports exhibition, boating competition, traditional fashion show, panel discussion, tour operators' meet and a heritage walk. A mega musical night has been slotted on the final day, which will feature renowned folk singer Kalpana Patowari," an organiser said.
