Assam: 10,000 Bagurumba Bodo dancers to perform at Sarusajai in PM Modi’s presence on January 17
Providing details of the schedule, Assam Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Borah said that artists from across the state and neighbouring states and even Nepal began intensive rehearsals from January 12. The rehearsals will continue for four consecutive days to ensure coordination, discipline, and artistic excellence among the performers.
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Guwahati: Assam, like the rest of the country is under the grip of festivals. In different parts of the state more than 10,000 Bagurumba dancers from Bodo community from 23 districts of Assam, neighbouring West Bengal, Nagaland and from Nepal are performing rehearsals to perform at Sarusajai Sports Complex on January 17 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Providing details of the schedule, Assam Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Borah said that artists from across the state and neighbouring states and even Nepal began intensive rehearsals from January 12.
The rehearsals will continue for four consecutive days to ensure coordination, discipline, and artistic excellence among the performers.
"From January 12, 13, 14 and 15, Sarusajai host rehearsals involving artists from different parts of Assam. These sessions are crucial so that every participant clearly understands the process, formations, and rhythm, allowing them to deliver a flawless and visually stunning performance,” Borah said. The final rehearsal will be on January 15.
He added that January 16 has been designated as a rest day for the performers, keeping in mind the scale of participation and the physical demands of the traditional dance form.
"After days of rigorous practice, the dancers will be given a full day to rest and recuperate,” he noted.
The highlight of the programme will take place on the evening of January 17, when the mass Bagurumba performance will be staged before the Prime Minister and other dignitaries.
"On January 17 evening, in the presence of the Prime Minister, 9,700 Bagurumba young female dancers will take the stage together where 1,500 male music artists from Bodo community will join them. It will be a moment of pride for Assam and a powerful representation of our cultural heritage,” Borah said.
Dignitaries at the rehearsals
Bagurumba, a traditional dance of the Bodo community, is known for its graceful movements inspired by nature. Today the Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Biswajit Daimary also witnessed the rehearsals and extended all cooperation to his own community's people gathered here.
The Bodo community which is the oldest native community of Assam has been fighting long for their political, social and economic rights through democratic movements as well as through arms since the 80s and later gave up arms through two accords with the Indian government. The first BTC accord was signed in 2003 during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's regime and the second in 2020 through BTR, during PM Narendra Modi's term.
During today's practice performance Bodoland People's Front legislative assembly leader Durga Das Boro praised Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their efforts to place Bodo community at the global forum through this cultural spectacle.