Guwhati: Preparations are on full swing for the 89th Nalbari Raas Mahotsav, to be celebrated from 7 to 21 November at Nalbari Hari Mandir premise in western Assam, where veteran Bollywood film personality Hema Malini will also be present on 14 November along with the State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Raas, a religious festival, is primarily the celebration of Lord Krishna’s eternal love to Radha and his Raasleela during the days in Vrindavan. Legend narrates that Krishna composed mesmerizing music with his bamboo flute and it compelled the Gopis to join him in Raasleela. The festival is mentioned in Vishnu Purana and Bhagawad Puran also. Inspired by the love and devotion to Krishna by of Gopis, Raas festival is also described in Kirtans and plays including Keligopal.
President of this year’s Nalbari Raas, Jayanta Mallabaruah informed that the organising committee has planned for a fusion of traditional Idol Raas with the performing Raas. Under this initiative, four performing entities namely Majuli Raas, Mathura-Vrindavan Raas, Gujrati Dandiya Raas and Basanta Raas (Manipur) have been invited to showcase their creations.
State minister Mallabaruah also added that a trade-fair under aegis of the trade promotion council will be organised at Swahid Mukunda Kakati bus-stand. Various other fairs will display products of SHGs and activities of different government departments. Like previous years, the mobile theatre groups will perform their popular productions to add colour to the festival, where the committee has declared to reward the best drama and best actor & actress.
Bollywood veteran Hema Malini to grace Nalbari Raas
