The Historic Jonbeel Mela Concludes: The Jonbeel grounds resonate with poetic rhythm
Tribal Voice News
Dalim Phukon
Morigaon Jan 25:
Amid a vibrant and festive atmosphere, the traditional historic Jonbeel Mela of the Gobha Deoraja concluded today. On the final day of the three-day colourful event, following the community fishing ritual at the Aram Beel of the Gobha Deoraja in the morning, a captivating poetry programme titled “Kavita Mel” was held at the Jonbeel grounds.
The poetry meet was conducted by Harendra Bora, Vice-President of the Poetry Conference Sub-Committee of the Asam Sahitya Sabha. Nearly sixty young and veteran poets from various districts of Assam enlivened the programme by reciting their self-composed poems in Assamese and Tiwa languages.
Subsequently, as per the directive of the Gobha Raja, the symbolic traditional tax collection ceremony was held in the afternoon. Later, all events of the mela formally concluded before the evening general meeting.
The poetry programme was graced by Gobha Raja Deepsingh Deoraja as the chief guest, along with Bidyut Bikash Senapati, Vice-President of the Tiwa Sahitya Sabha; Tiwa language researcher Narayan Kumar Radu Kakati; Nadiram Deuri, recipient of the Assam Saurav Award; poet Nabarajan, Convenor of the Poetry Conference Sub-Committee of the Asam Sahitya Sabha; Soneswar Doloi and Jorsing Bordoloi, President and Secretary respectively of the Mela Celebration Committee; Ajit Sharma, President of the Morigaon Journalists’ Association; senior journalist Utpal Sharma; literary figure and nominated member of the Tiwa Autonomous Council Khagen Chandra Das, among many other distinguished personalities.
Interspersed with the poetry recitations were colourful dance and music performances by the Jonbeel Cultural Troupe, an impressive display of traditional martial arts along with dance and music by the Kaibarta Jal Keot community of Kamrup district under the leadership of Dr. Arunabh Kumar Nayak, and the popular Lali Lang dance of the Tiwa community—adding a unique charm to the programme.
Meanwhile, during the same event, a proposal was adopted to publish poetry anthologies in both Assamese and Tiwa languages.