The Bihu dance, which is an indigenous folk dance originated from the state of Assam is a significant constituent of Assamese traditional culture and related to the major Bihu festival. Performed in a troupe, typically by young children, the Bihu dancer are generally youngsters, aged fifteen and below, and the dance style is typified by quick hand gestures, and brisk, quick steps. The music that accompanies the dances is usually repetitive and rhythmic, and is most often performed on the bamboo flute. The dances are performed mainly in Hindu temples, but are also popular at other locations as well.
The modern day Bihu is primarily an Assamese folk dance, and while earlier forms are now obsolete, there are many traditional forms of the dance that have been handed down throughout generations of Assamese speakers. The ensemble is led by a male singer or dancer, known as a ranga, accompanied by female members of the troupe who play the various musical instruments. The women will use traditional attires like saris, kerchiefs, decorated salwar suits, head wraps, face masks, and other accessories to impart the appearance of beauty and elegance. The men will wear kurta pyjama, stripped pants, stripped shirts, stripped socks, and other garments. The costumes represent traditional patterns of regional clothing as well. The motifs represented in the dances are birds, lions, elephants, fish, horses, birds and other animals, tribal patterns, wood, metal and bright colors.
The Bihu dances are accompanied by drums and congas, which are commonly used to create the beat of the music. The songs are specifically designed for the Bihu group and are repeated throughout the performance to maintain the energetic rhythm. As the dancer progresses through the various stages of the dance, her graceful hand movements and her graceful foot movements also become more impressive. The audience is kept excited through the exciting hand gestures and foot movements of the female dancer, especially during the passionate moments of the dance. A remarkable feature of the Bihu dance that distinguishes it from other Indian dances performed by the same people is that the female leader is never seen or heard, except when she performs the Biha Dance as a leader during special ceremonies.