April
2026
Music
and Dance
April is the month for Bihu time of traditional songs and dance, folk dances and classical all supported by food to make a real festive occasion. We went to two. The London Bihu in Feltham and a week later the Birmingham Bihu in West Bromwich. Although same festival each has its own character. The London Bihu had its main attraction imported directly from Assam and one of the popular singers of love songs,Shankuraj Konwar, who had the whole hall joining in to make a most memorable evening and prompted enthusiastic dancing from the audience.
By contrast Birmingham was a stop over having a
night in the Mercure hotel with a check-in at 3pm that was an hour after the
event started. The venue was a conference hall where reception was a snack and
soft drink to keep you busy before the entertainment started. I checked-in to
the hotel having my own adventure as I could see the hotel but not the entrance
drive. Eventually finding it using Tom and Google maps. Checking-in was quick
and easy and I was soon back at the event. There was lots of dancing from
different local people also some favourite songs from local artists. Food was
later served at the table and catered for everyone’s’ tastes. After the meal it
was disco time and the dance floor was soon filled with people gyrating to the
music. Another great evening enjoying the company of old friends and engaging
with the next generation of Assamese in the UK.
Th Bhavan London was the venue for World Dance Day.
The Bhavan has a small theatre and at this event Dance schools from all over
the country performed. So many that I could recount who came from where but at
the end of the performances there were more artists on stage than people in the
audience. I think there were fourteen acts, some with so many people on stage
at times there was only just enough room. There were some incredible
performances that I could not capture on my phone but here are some photos and
shorts to give a flavour of the evening. I enjoyed it immensely.
