Dhol exponent Somnath Borah Oja to be honoured with 'Bihu Samrat' title

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: The Lakhimpur district unit of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Parishad (AJYP) will confer the 'Bihu Samrat' title to Somnath Borah Oja, the internationally acclaimed dhol exponent of the State on Thursday. It was declared by Mobin Ahmed, the general secretary of the Lakhimpur unit of AJYP in a press conference organized at North Lakhimpur Press Club on Wednesday in the presence of adviser Uttam Borah, North Lakhimpur regional unit president Manoj Kalita, cultural secretary Rajani Thengal and Lakhimpur District Xahitya Xabha president Bipul Sarmah Baruah.

"While conferring the title, the dhol exponent will be honoured with a bihuwan, cheleng, a citation, safura, japi, a memento, a Bihu dress and cash of Rs. 30,000. We have extended this honour to him as appreciation for his relentless contribution to Bihu culture. Since his childhood he has practised 'Dhol badan' and devotionally, dedicatedly worked to preserve the Bihu culture in its original form", Mobin Ahmed said in the press conference.

Notably, Somnath Borah managed to win first prize in dhol badan competition in 1964 when he was only three years old. He achieved the Oja title as a dhol exponent in 1981. Moreover, he has introduced the dhol, the unique musical instrument of the Assamese culture, on national and international platforms with his proficiency after Moghai Oja. He has been conducting training on dhol badan, husari and Bihu dance in Lakhimpur district for six years in the Bihu workshops organized by the Lakhimpur district unit of AJYP. This year a total of 130 trainees, including 21 girls, took training on dhol badan under him while 300 girls took training on Bihu dance in the workshop organized by the organization.

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