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​Press Release

For Immediate Publication

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Rongali – Celebrating the essence of Assam

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Being held for the first time, the three-day festival salutes the eclectic cultural mosaic of Assam

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 Aims at attracting Tourism & Investment to the state

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Attempts to build bridges amongst various tribes and communities of the state

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New Delhi  - March 27, 2015: With an aim to position Assam as a tourism destination, showcas

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ing its ethnic culture and unmatched beauty, Rongali – Celebrating the essence of Assam is being held at Guwahati from 3^rd to 5^thApril, 2015. The festival would highlight the rich culture of the state and the tourism opportunity that Assam presents.

“Rongali” is an attempt to showcase Assam and its cultural mosaic, the rich history with its present structure of diverse social structure, and to make the state a destination of importance and attraction. Rongali would illustrate the entire essence of the state including its cultural history, its icons, handloom, music, dance, magic, handicrafts, and the age-old harmony of various tribes and communities.

Rongali is being organised from 3^rd to 5^thApril, 2015 at Veterinary Ground, Khanapara, Guwahati.  Rongaliwould include the lifestyles, food habits of various tribes to be presented by various councils, the rich history of Assam from the days of BhaskarBurman, Su KaPha, SankaradevauptoBhupenHazarika, its rich traditional handloom & handicrafts, delicious Assamese cuisines along withother North Eastern fare. Colourful dance forms of the State, Ram Vijay Bhaonaby SangeetNatakAkademi, Tea exhibition, Magic from Mayong, Mask Making from Sibsagar, traditionalgohona(jewelry) of Nagaon etc.would be on display as well. Around 50 dance forms would be performed at Rongali too.

Famous Assamese innovator UdhabBharali would present unique innovation by Assamese innovators and the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship would present successful Assamese enterprises. Apart from that unique eco-tourism projects will be on display as will be the traditional sports of Assam.  A display of Assamese literature by legendary writers of the State and the upcoming authors would be on offer as well.

The festival would include evenings of some amazing cultural performanceswith some of Assam’s top singers and performers like ZubeenGarg, Papon, SimantaSekhar, PriyankaBharali, Manas Robin, TarulotaKutum, North East Breeze, Joshua Queah, Moo & the Shootings Stars. India’s top rock band Indian Ocean and heavy metal band Girish& the Chronicles would also perform, in what promises to three days filled with fun and frolic.  Two fashion shows on 4^th and 5^th April would present the best of Assamese designers and fabric.

Several reputed tour operators across India and tourists are expected to visit during Rongali and witness the colourfulcanvas painted by the festival. Rongali is organised by reputed socio-cultural trust of Assam Trend MMS in association with Hotel & Restaurants Associaiton of Assam, Assam Tourism, Deptt of Cultural Affairs, Govt of Assam, and Ministry of Youth Affairs, Govt of India.

A roundtable discussion in association with Guwahati Universityis being organisedon 4^thApril, 2015. The theme of the discussion will be “Development Agenda of Assam” and 25 top personalities from various fields – economy, politics, sports, culture, academics, business, media etc.would deliberate on the agenda to be developed for the future of Assam. The deliberations would be documented in the form of a book and would be released later on.

Mr. ShyamkanuMahanta, the Chief Organiser of Rongali said, “Our aim is to showcase Assam, thereby attract tourism and investment to the state, and also spread positivity about Assam globally. It is important to spread the message on the innumerable things that Assam has to offer and the unity among various tribes and communities. This is only possible through celebrating and amalgamating our rich culture, history and heritage.”

“We would like to take the opportunity to invite friends from all over the country to come and have a firsthand experience of Assam at Rongali, and spread the word nationally about the colourful canvas that Assam presents.”

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Rongali – Celebrating the Essence of Assam

Venue & Date:  3^rd,4^th,5^th April, 2015, Veterinary Ground, Khanapara, Guwahati

Brief Background about Assam:

Assam is a land of diverse culture, and beautiful landscape blessed with huge resources. The largest river in India Brahmpatura, World reknowned one-horned Rhino, one of the biggest river island in the world Majuli, the largest concentration of wild life sanctuaries, highest tea generating region in the world, Assam has plenty to offer.  Assam is also the gateway to North East India comprising beautiful States of Meghalaya, Arunachal, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

With five national parks, two of which are designated World Natural Heritage Sites by UNESCO, and several wildlfe and bird sanctuaries, Assam is a blessed land for wildlife enthusiasts. At the heart of its mind boggling biodiveristy is the rich topography of Assam with its lush hills and valleys dissected by the majestic Brahmaputra and it';s many tributaries. Assam is home to over 180 species of mammals, including rare and endangered species like the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, the royal Bengal tiger, the golden langur and hoolock gibbon, and a spectacular range of avifauna. The state has conserved the one-horned Indian rhinoceros from near extinction, along with the pygmy hog, tiger and various species of birds. It provides one of the last wild habitats for the Asian elephant. TheKaziranga and the Manas National Parks are designated asWorld Heritage Sites. Sal tree forests are found in the state, which as a result of rainfall looks green all year round. This rain feeds the Brahmaputra River, whose tributaries and oxbow lakes provide the region with a hydro-geomorphic and aesthetic environment.

Assam is home to Kamakhya temple, one of the most powerful shrines in India, river islandMajuli is the hub of Sattriya culture initiated by MahapurushSankaradeva, the cultural icon of Assam. Sattriya dance is considered the national dance of India. Numerous tribes, colourful celebrations, rich culture of traditional handloom & handicrafts, Assam has it all. RongaliBihuis the most famous Festival of Assam; Springtime the State blooms with Festivity and colours.

Programme Highlights:

Rongali Exhibition would start from 1 PM on 3^rdApril, 2015

Way of Life of Various Communities of Assam

Various communities of Assam including Bodo, Meishing, Tea tribes,  Dimasa, Karbi, Deuri, SonowalKachari, Rabhaetc would showcase the way of life, food habits, its traditional handloom & handicraft products, organic fruits & vegetables etc.

History of Assam

Assam a rich cultural and political history.Rongali would showcase and present Assam’s history from historic daysupto Bird of Brahmaputra BhupenHazarika.

 Dance performance from tribes& communities of Assam:

Rongali would present colourful dance performance from various tribes and communities. Around 50 dance from mostly tribal forms like Bagrumba of Bodo, Oinitom of Meishingupto famous Bihu dance and Sattriya dance would be on display.

Exhibition of Handloom & Handicraft Products:

Assam is famous for its traditional handloom & handicraft products.  Rongali would present best of Assam’s products like musk making, bell metal, pottery,  water hyacinth products, cane and bamboo artisans/ weavers, Axomiya traditional Jewelleriesetc.

Colourful cloths of Assam, designed by weavers would be on display and sale.

Traditional Sports of Assam:

Assam a land famous of its traditional sports.Rongali would showcase and present various traditional sports of Assam.

Ethnic Assamese Foods:

Rongali would display and present best of Assamese traditional foods along with Foods from other North Eastern States.

AnkiaBhaona

MahapurushSrimantaSankaradeva was the father of Assamese culture. He created a unique dance drama form called AnkiaBhaona showcasing stories of Krishna and Rama. Sattriyadance which is the 8^th National dance form is also showcased during Bhaona. SangeetNatak Academy would present AnkiaBhaona during Rongali.

Unique Tourism Destinations of the State

Rongali would showcase important tourist destinations of the State, showcase unique eco tourism projects. Wild life projects etc.

B2B Session on Tour Operators

Programme Timings for Cultural Performance:

Every Day Exhibition starts at 10 AM upto 10 PM

3^rdApril, 2015:

Dance Carnival starts from 2 PM

4 PM – Formal Inaguration. To be inaugurated by Mr. TarunGogoi, Hon’ble CM of Assam.

5.30 PM- 10 PM  – Cultural Evening

Performers

Key Attraction: Famous Bollywood Singer from Assam AnagaragPaponMahanta.

Other attractions –KarbiRockstarPhuNing Ding, Meishing queen MsTarulotaKutum, Famous performer of Tea Tribes community Mr. SajjanNayak, Bihu Expert Mr. Manas Robin etc.

4^thApril, 2015

Dance Carnival starts from 2 PM

5.30 PM – AnkiyaBhaona – Bhaona is an unique creation of MahapurushSankaradeva, considered the oldest form of Drama in India.  SangeetNatak Academy, Guwahati would present AnkiaBhaona written by MahapurushSankaradeva.

6.45PM – Ethnic fashion showcasing best of designs and products of North East

7.45 PM – Musical evening..

Key Attractions – Famous Assamese singers – SimantaSekhar, PriyankaBharali, Babu and hearthrobe of North East India, Bollywood Singer ZubeenGarg

5^thApril, 2015

Dance Carnival would start from 2 PM

5.30 PM Onwards Cultural Evening

Key Attractions – Fashion show of traditional Assamese designs

Rock music evening:

Key Performers – famous Assamese bands – Moo & the Shooting Stars, North East Breeeze

India’s top heavy metal band The Girish& the Chronicles

India’s top Rock band – Indian Ocean​

For further media query please contact:

Anuj Kumar Boruah

Young Monk Communications

M: +91 99583 72662

E: anuj@youngmonk.in​