Bordoisila

Bordoisila is an Assamese word native to the state of Assam in India. It is a wild wind in Assam, that marks the incoming monsoon season, as it is accompanied with heavy showers and strong wind causing widespread damage.

Legend

Legend has it that just like a young, married woman would hurriedly, fly back to her mother destructing literally anything that comes her way; Bordoisila comes to Assam. The meaning of the word "Bordoisila" still draws a lot of controversy. People from upper Brahmaputra valley may define it as derived from Ahom word "Sila" means a kind of kite. "Bordoi", could be her name.Then down the valley they say "Bor-" means big, "-doi-" means water in Bodo language and "-sila" from 'Shikla' in Bodo which means girl.

The Bodo word for Bordoisila is "Bardwisikhla" which breaks down to "Bar-" meaning wind, "-dwi-" means water and "-sikhla" means girl in Bodo language. It represents the mythological Goddess of Nature, and it marks the beginning of the festival month of Bwishagu (Spring season). Bardwisikhla is also a dance-form popularly know as Bagurumba. "......nalbirinar paah, brahmaputrot halise jalise, boga koi bogoli nil aakaxot urise, aahise bohagi tai maa'kor ghoroloi bordoisila hoi..........."

As the folk song says "bohag", the spring season comes to her mothers place, Assam disguised as Bordoisila. So it may be "... gathering of cloud like a big kite..." since "-doi-" also means curd and resembles cloud. And also may be "...a big kite running..." as "-doi-" can also be related with the word 'doura' which means running.

Onset of spring

Whatever the meaning be, Bordoisila brings in with it "Bohag", the spring season of merriment and celebration, making the entire state dress up its newest green and flavor. The blooming "kopow" (orchid) flowers and the shrill calls of the cuckoo makes people of Assam; Axomiya dance with the rhythms of 'dhol', 'pepa', 'gogona'......... creating waves of "Bihu" from Sadiya in the east to Dhubri in far west.

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