Inspired by the grandeur of Mega Bihu and Jhumoir Binandini, the Government of Assam is now gearing up for another cultural spectacle Mega Bagarumba slated to be held towards the end of 2025.
Bagarumba, a vibrant and graceful folk dance of the Bodo community, is deeply rooted in the cultural identity of Assam and the North East. Traditionally performed during the Bwisagu festival. Bagarumba is more than just a dance; it is a celebration of renewal, harmony with nature, and community bonding.
Recognising its significance, the Finance Minister Ajanta Neog in her Assam 2025-26 Budget speech announced a focused initiative to promote Bagarumba not only across India but also at the global stage.
While speaking to Asom Barta, Director of Cultural Affairs Department Rahul Das, said, “Elaborate preparations are underway. So far, four meetings have been held to finalize the details of this mega event. The first meeting was held on May 5, 2025, chaired by the State Additional Chief Secretary, B Kalyan Chakravarthy. The second meeting on June 13 was chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma during which an expert committee of 25 members was constituted. Another meeting on July 21 was held under the chairmanship of the Cultural Affairs Minister, followed by the fourth meeting on August 9 with the expert committee.”
The official further added that the scale of the event is expected to be unprecedented, “Around 11,000 performers will take part in the event, including 10,000 dancers and 1,000 instrumentalists with performers from 26 districts of Assam. The age group of female participants will range from 15 to 40 years, while male participants will be between 15 to 45 years. To ensure uniformity and excellence, the Government has also identified 400 master trainers.”
Sanjib Brahma, a member of the expert committee, expressed his pride in the initiative. “This is a great step towards preserving and promoting Bodo culture and tradition on the world stage. I feel happy to share that the Government has decided only people from the Bodo-Kachari community will participate in this grand performance. This ensures authenticity and respect for our tradition.”
Brahma added that on the ground level, preparations are equally vibrant. “A special training programme for master trainers was held between July 31 and August 7, 2025, while choreography and performance designs have already been finalized.”
Tanuja Narzary, one of the identified master trainers, while interacting with this newsletter, said, “This is a great opportunity to showcase my talent in folk dance, but more importantly, it allows me to pass on my skills to others. I have been performing Bagarumba since I was in Class 10, and in 2011, I had the honour of performing at the Republic Day programme in New Delhi. To now contribute as a trainer for such a historic event fills me with pride. I believe teaching others is equally rewarding as performing it ensures the legacy continues.”
For the younger generation, the event is a dream come true, Sangina Basumatary, a 16-year-old participant, told this newsletter, “I am very happy. I also feel nervous when I think that I will perform in front of dignitaries, and a huge audience. For me, it’s not just a performance, it’s a moment to represent my community and my roots. Being part of such a large-scale festival will be a lifetime memory. I hope this inspires many other young people to stay connected to our culture.”
With the Government’s determination, community participation, and the enthusiasm of performers like Tanuja and Sangina, the upcoming Bagarumba celebration promises to be not just an event, rather another historic cultural movement for Assam and its people.
