Sampradaya Dance Creations presents Horizon Series

Join me on Sunday, April 3, 2016 for the Sampradaya Dance Creations’ Horizon Series showcasing emerging artists. For more information, visit Sampradaya’s website .

Horizon Series showcase from Sampradaya Dance Creations


In Pictures: Rongali Bihu Festival in Assam, India


IMG_0356edited
SHANNON’S TRAVEL BAG: travel tips for women

Shannon travels to India. This is part 3 in a series of articles.

 

In Pictures: Rongali Bihu Festival in Assam, India

I’ve just returned from an amazing 2-week trip to India. As I wrote in my previous post, the first stop on my journey was attending the Rongali Bihu Festival in Assam, the north-eastern state in India that is located south of the eastern Himalayas – and where “Assam tea” comes from. Rongali, meaning “colours,” is a special celebration of the Assamese New Year and coming of spring, with the hopes of peace and prosperity. Rongali is one of three Bihu festivals that take place throughout the year, with Rongali being the biggest in Assam.

IMG_1124

On April 3-5th, 2015, the community in Guwahati, Assam, held a multifaceted Bihu festival highlighting the arts and culture of the Assamese communities and tribes. This included folk dance, rock and Bollywood music (including Bollywood star, Papon), handicrafts, fashion, traditional sports and oh-so-yummy food.

Assam, the gateway to the northeast, is unexplored – and more than ready for tourism. The festival was designed as a much-needed tourist draw that, under one platform, features the essence of Assam, a state which boasts a number of wildlife sanctuaries, the Brahamaputra River, is home to the one-horned rhino and Royal Bengal Tiger, and is large tea-growing region. “This is a springtime Bihu where there are a lot of festivities, and people are singing and dancing, and making merry,” says Rongali Festival organizer, Shyamkanu Mahanta.” This is a typical way of focusing on our own culture to promote tourism.”

Here are some highlights:

IMG_1143

Several Assam tribes prepare to perform Bihu dances in competition (50+ dance forms)

IMG_1135

IMG_1127

IMG_1423

On stage…all dance groups had their own distinct costume and dance form. Truly amazing.

IMG_1209

Festival organizer, Shyamkanu Mahanta, and emcee, a famous Assam actress/dancer, Barasha Rani Bishaya.

IMG_1207 A closer glimpse of the lovely star emcee, Barasha Rani Bishaya.

IMG_1194

 Dignitaries in attendance, including Tourism Minister of Assam, Ms. Sumitra Patir (seated in the lovely traditional Assamese sari)

IMG_1410edited

 Then this happened…I was interviewed by “DD News” TV Delhi. I was also in a number of Indian newspapers – read more about it). The traditional dress I am wearing actually came with me from Toronto!

IMG_1471

 And there was a thrilling dance drama performance of the classic tale, Kaliya Daman, in the famous form called Ankia Bhaona, which has been performed in India for 500 years.  All actors are male, including female roles.

 IMG_1564

Fashion show of saris by a local Assam designer Mehzabin Ershad. Loved this!

 IMG_1570

IMG_1581

 Designer Mehzabin Ershad reacts to the roaring cheers of the crowd.

 

IMG_1370

Famous Assam singer, Manas Robin, one of several artists who performed; with a former TV journalist attending.

IMG_1542Manas Robin rocked the house. I really enjoyed his music.

IMG_1181

My new travel friend, Tom Peters, former editor of a major Canadian newspaper. I had pitched him many news stories over the years, though never met him until the flight from London to Delhi (lesson: never burn bridges!)

IMG_1343

 Some of the vendors… above is an exhibition on how silk is created from worms.

IMG_1346

To my surprise, I became somewhat of a celebrity, with locals wanting to take photos with me.

IMG_1360

Assam is known for its silk.

IMG_1351

IMG_1356

 “Gamochas” Assamese traditional hand towel and fabric.

IMG_1391

  This girl is donning traditional Assamese fabric.

 IMG_1393

Smoking meat, fish, veggies the Assamese way.

IMG_1097

Drummers from the Meishing Tribe.

IMG_1093

 Yeah, I’m a groupie.

 IMG_1170

Tourist plays a traditional Assamese game. You are blindfolded, spun around a few times to disorient, and then you have to guess where the pot is – and hit it once with a stick. Great for laughs (yes, I did it, too)!

IMG_1522

Towering over crowd is my fabulous and trusted guide, Dipankar Borkakati, who took good care of me. Thank you, Dipankar.

IMG_1434

Lovely women from Assam Tourism managing the heat and humidity better than me.

My guides, transportation and accommodations in India were provided by Vasco Travel, whose team worked tirelessly on perfecting every detail, even checking in with me daily.

Where to StayHotel Dynasty (4 star) is situated on the banks of river Brahamputra, and in the business centre of Guwahati, Assam, with facilities including a spa, health club, bar and restaurant, and more. Rooms from $106 CDN and up (www.DynastyHotel.in).

***

Read my first article about my India travels here.

Read my Q&A with India travel expert, Vikas Abbott from Vasco Travel.

Stay tuned for the next article in my series on India…

***

For more information about Rongali Festival and 2016 plans, visit www.RongaliAssam.com.

Traveling to India? Vasco Travel (www.vascotravel.net), based in Delhi, is the industry leader in in-bound travel to India (in Canada, Vasco is represented by Canadian Travel Services www.CanadianTravelServices.ca). For flights, visit Air India (www.airIndia.in), a Star Alliance Member (my route was Toronto-London-Delhi-Guwahati). Resources: India Tourism (www.IncredibleIndia.org) and Assam Tourism (www.AssamTourism.gov.in).


Guests for Feb. 11th on Extraordinary Women TV airing on Rogers TV

Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner

 

 

 

Tonight’s guests on Extraordinary Women TV airing  on Rogers TV
actress Lisa Berry and dancer/Extension Method founder, Jennifer Nichols

TORONTO, Feb. 11, 2013 – Tune-in to Rogers TV Cable 10 & 63 in Toronto/Scarborough tonight at 7:30pmET for the next episode of Extraordinary Women TV  when host Shannon Skinner speaks with Toronto-based actress, Lisa Berry, best known for her role on Combat Hospital, who talks about her success journey from makeup artist to actress on stage, in film and TV; and dancer/founder of the Extension Method, Jennifer Nichols

Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner is a first-of-its-kind web TV talk show that is an inspirational, relevant and informative resource for women who want to follow their hearts and dreams. The show now airs on Rogers TV Cable 10 & 63 in Toronto/Scarborough Monday nights at 7:30pmET, with repeats throughout the week.

Shannon’s guests are successful women from all walks of life – many high-profile — from Toronto and across Canada, from a range of industries, including: arts and entertainment, business, finance, charities, eco, media, experts – and more. Some notable guests include: singers/songwriters Suzie McNeil, Sarah Slean and Amy Sky; media personality/relationship expert Jen Kirsch; journalist/author Jan Wong; businesswomen Rebecca MacDonald (Just Energy) and Kelsey Ramsden (Belvedere Place Development); actresses Sarena Parmar, Lisa Berry; Plan Canada’s Rosemary McCarney; former Chatelaine editor Rona Maynard; among many others.

More than 170 one-on-one interviews have been conducted and archived since its inception in September 2010.

Rogers TV’s full scheduling information: www.rogerstv.com/ExtraordinaryWomenTV

– 30 –

For information, contact:

Shannon Skinner
Producer/Host, Extraordinary Women TV
416-576-8809 (cell)
shannon@skinnerpublicity.com
www.ExtraordinaryWomenTV.com


Latest Tweets

Facebook Feeds

1 week ago

Shannon Skinner
I am hosting a tour of India for extraordinary women, in partnership with Sunspots Holidays, this September 2024.Join me as we explore India's stunning architecture, such as the renowned Taj Mahal, royal palaces and ancient forts. Discover Indian culinary delights, cultural places, authentic textiles and learn about everyday way of life of Indians, including yoga, through a female lens.We will explore 5 cities, as well as India's breathtaking desert region, Rajasthan. As well, we are now offering an *optional* tour extension of Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world and the spiritual capital of India, after the completion of our main tour, adding a 6th city to our itinerary.I am excited to share with you the India I fell in love with. Join me!🔸women's tour🔸Sept. 16-27, 2024🔸12 days/11 nights - 5 cities🔸Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Jodphur-Udaipur🔸Optional Varanasi tour extension post-tour (2 days/1 night)🔸small group Presented by: Extraordinary Women TV. Book this exclusive offer now.For details, visit: ShannonSkinner.com.Contact: info@shannonskinner.com. *Tour can only be purchased with Sunspots Holidays (TICO registration 1030981).#shannonskinner #extraordinarywomentv #travel #india #toursforwomen #shannontravels ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

3 weeks ago

Shannon Skinner
Photos from Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce's post ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

3 weeks ago

Shannon Skinner
I recently had the opportunity to speak at a travel industry event, “Evolving Tourism Landscape in India,” hosted by the India High Commissioner in Ottawa and India's Consul General in Toronto.I spoke about my northeast India travels and why a Bengal Tiger is calling me back.Photo: Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce (thank you) ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

4 weeks ago

Shannon Skinner
India is one of the most fascinating destinations in the world. Take it from me, a travel writer.This September, I am hosting a guided tour of India for extraordinary women, in partnership with Sunspots Holidays. Join me as we explore India's stunning architecture, such as the renowned Taj Mahal, royal palaces and ancient forts. Discover Indian culinary delights, cultural places, authentic textiles and learn about everyday way of life of Indians, including yoga, through a female lens.We will explore 5 cities, as well as India's breathtaking desert region, Rajasthan.I am excited to share with you the India I fell in love with. Join me!🔸women's tour🔸Sept. 16-27, 2024🔸12 days/11 nights - 5 cities🔸Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Jodphur-Udaipur🔸small group Presented by: Extraordinary Women TV. Book this exclusive offer now.For details, visit: ShannonSkinner.com.Contact: info@shannonskinner.com. *Tour can only be purchased with Sunspots Holidays (TICO registration 1030981).#shannonskinner #extraordinarywomentv #travel #india #toursforwomen #shannontravels ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

Instagram Pics