By Uma Purkayastha
A multicultural society ushers in festivals that honour traditions as well as serve as opportunities to celebrate communal harmony, brotherhood and recreation among people living in multilingual society. Life would be colourless and lack flavour if there were no festivals. Since times immemorial, festivals have been observed by numerous communities in 
varied ways; but the essence of each festival is the celebration of togetherness, making merry and gaiety. Especially, in a multifarious city like Shillong, which is a melting pot for diverse religions, castes, communities and tribes, through festivals, one can make themselves familiar with the rituals and customs of other communities which binds them with the feeling of oneness. Hence, festivals are the source of union, concord and harmony among different communities of people through music, dance, hospitality and reciprocal greetings.
It is observed that the importance and impact of festivals exuding cosmopolitanism is a teacher of healthy values for children, in their formative years. They learn and adapt to other cultures very sharply, and as a result a Khasi girl can emulate the ‘Bihu’ dance or a Bengali song and vice versa. It is also a part of reciprocal education where social performances play a crucial role.
April is the month of occasions and festivals of many sections of people in the multicultural society of Shillong. It is the month of Easter, Shad-suk Mynsiem, Rongali Bihu, Bohagu, Navo Barsho (Bengali New Year), Ambedkar Jayanti and Eid. It is observed that when a festival of any community is celebrated with pomp, the glee and merriment that comes along with it, is contagious, irrespective of one’s social background.
During Easters, non-Christians honour and respect the great son of God, and his resurrection as the saviour of mortals.
The ongoing month is the month of sacrifice for the Muslims. They observe a stringent fast throughout the month, and generously help the distressed 
with offerings of fruits, food and clothing. Eid comes after a month with a message of peace and happiness rejuvenating harmony in the society.
‘Rongali Bihu’ and ‘Navo Barsho’ also celebrated in the middle of the month is also a harbinger of new beginnings and hope to all irrespective of caste, creed or religion. It is the year ending of the Bengali and Assamese calendar year and traditionally the harvest season marking Baisakhi in other parts of India. It is often celebrated semi-religiously followed by puja, prayers for the welfare. Bengali ‘Navo Barsho’ is observed with prayer, Kirton, reciprocal greetings and entertainment followed by cultural gatherings for the fraternity.
‘Rongali Bihu’ means a very colourful and joyous Bihu; a festival of spring, a festival of youth, a festival of unity and integrity. It is one of the most important festivals of the Assamese through which their customs, culture, arts, crafts, and their heritage is represented in a festive way. Showcasing the ‘Bihu’ dance is one of the hallmarks of ‘Rongali Bihu’.
‘Shad Suk Mynsiem’ performed by the Khasi people, is a form of thanksgiving that is displayed through the dance forms, celebrated every year at the end of the harvesting season in the month of April. During its celebrations, seeds are sown for the next season’s harvest symbolising the onset of the new. This dance festival is celebrated on a large scale and enjoyed by all sections of people.
Ambedkar Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of the exemplary leader, B.R. Ambedkar, a visionary of social movement. Commemorating his memories, many celebrate the day as ‘Equality Day’ as the leader’s vision of social justice and reformation free of caste ridden politics. Even though political, the day is observed throughout the country rendering it an exalted space on the calendar.
Therefore, even though these festivals originated within communities, their appreciation has grown over the years transcending groups and factions. Heralding the new, the festivities marked in the month of April are timely with the advent of Spring setting the tone for the rest of the year.
