dibrugarh preparations for rongali bihu festivities are in full swing in dibrugarh with around 50 community bihu pandals bihutolis coming up across the town among the most prominent is the dibrugarh rongali bihu sanmilan the oldest stage bihu sanmilan in upper assam begun in 1952 the bihu is organized on the playground of the bagmibor nilomoni phukan hs school formerly george institution there is a rich history associated with this bihu it is the first stage bihu in upper assam and was begun by radha govinda baruah stalwarts like bhupen hazarika and khagen mahanta have performed here many renowned names from the assamese music industry begun their career on this stage said nawab mintoo manowar hussain one of the organizers rongali bihu a threeday affair from april 15 to 17 will feature games sports literary events and cultural programmes a colourful ethnic procession will be taken out on the inaugural day besides the regular bihu song and dance competitions like bihu rani bihu samragyi bihu kunwari and husori will be held the other notable bihu programmes of the town include the chiring chapori bohagi mela organized by jeoti maral sangha dakhin amolapatty bohagi mela and the lachit nagar bihu sanmilan one of the most anticipated is the rongali bihu sanmilan organized centrally on the chowkidinghee playground from april 15 to 17 the sanmilan has always been popular and organizers are expecting a decent turnout this time as well a number of programmes has been lined up for the threeday extravaganza the committee has roped in several renowned singers of the state to perform in urban areas stage bihu is popular earlier people use to sing songs and husoris in individual households the practice is still prevalent in villages but in towns and cities bihu has undergone many changes stage bihu has succeeded in promoting the festival of bihu it has helped participants display their talents said an organizer