Assam CM to Attempt World Record for Largest Bihu Dance Performance
Assam is gearing up for a grand celebration of its cultural heritage with plans to attempt a world record for the largest Bihu dance performance on April 14th. The event will take place in Guwahati’s Sarusajai stadium and feature 11,100 dancers and dholis performing the traditional folk dance of Assam in a single frame. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the event would aim to register the achievement in the Guinness Book of World Records.
National and International Attention: Prime Minister Modi and Other Leaders Invited
The chief minister stated that the goal was to “popularize Bihu and take it to the world stage,” with the event expected to draw national and international attention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already confirmed his presence at the event, and all Chief Ministers and Governors, as well as G20 and Southeast Asian Ambassadors, are being invited.
The event’s preparations began on February 27 at Kalakshetra, with choreographers providing training to participants from across the state. The chief minister announced that master trainers from Sankardev Kalakshetra would provide instruction, with bihu dancers aged between 15 and 35 years invited to register on a dedicated portal to facilitate individual recognition by Guinness World Records.
The event’s festivities will also include the inauguration of the Ranghar and the Guwahati AIIMS, as well as the Palasbari and Sualkuchi bridge. A committee has been formed to plan the program, and a video of the performance will be submitted to the Guinness World Records.
Of the 11,100 participants, 70 percent will be girls and 30 percent boys, with participants receiving transportation and costume allowances. Guidelines have been established to ensure a smooth and efficient process, with district Bihu committees taking responsibility for selecting and training participants. Dress rehearsals will be held from April 9-12, with the performance taking place on April 14.
The chief minister announced a ban on the sale of power loom gamosas, mekhela sadors, and power loom aronais from March 1 to April 14. The move is part of a larger effort to raise awareness of the traditional weaving industry and discourage the use of machine-made products.
Promoting Bihu and Traditional Weaving Industry: Ban on Machine-Made Products
The event promises to be a major milestone in the state’s cultural history, with the chief minister also announcing plans to hold a seven-day Bihu festival annually in Sarusajai stadium beginning next year. “Our focus this year is to popularize Bihu through advertisements and attract a large number of tourists,” Sarma said. “From next year, we will organize seven-day Bihu events in the Assamese tradition.”
The announcement of the world record attempt was first made by the chief minister during the 74th Republic Day celebrations in Guwahati. The state administration is expecting to promote the traditions and cultural values of Assam on a broader platform. The event is expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the state and promote tourism in the region.
As the event approaches, the excitement is building among Bihu enthusiasts and the people of Assam. The world record attempt promises to be a moment of pride for all who call Assam home and a testament to the state’s rich cultural legacy.
