Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that 11,140 Bihu dancers and dhulias will attempt a shot at the Guinness Book of World Records, for the largest ever Bihu dance performance at a single venue, on April 14 at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati. The idea, he said, is to popularise Bihu and take it to the world stage. He said this while addressing the media on February 28.
“The performance will feature 11,140 dancers and dhulias performing the traditional folk dance of Assam, in a single frame, with the goal of registering the achievement in the Guinness Book of World Records,” Dr. Sarma said while informing the media that training for the event started on February 27 at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati.
The event is expected to draw national and international attention, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to attend it. Sarma said that all Chief Ministers and Governors, as well as envoys of G20 and South East Asian countries would be invited to it. Additionally, the day’s festivities would include the inauguration of the Guwahati AIIMS, as well as foundation stone laying ceremony of the ₹ 4,000 Crore Palasbari and Sualkuchi bridge over Brahmaputra River.
He said that a video of the performance would be submitted to Guinness World Records. Master trainers would provide instruction to Bihu dancers from across the State.
Of the 11,140 participants, 70% will be female. Dancers aged between 15 and 35 years have been invited to register on a dedicated portal to facilitate individual recognition by Guinness World Records.
“An expert committee has selected 400 master trainers to train Bihu dancers at the district level. These trainers will travel across Assam for the purpose. Full dress rehearsals will be held from April 9-12,” the Assam Chief Minister said.
Participants will receive transportation and costume allowances, with the Government providing ₹ 300 for transportation each day of training and rehearsal and ₹ 3,000 for costumes.
The Chief Minister also announced that beginning next year, a seven-day Bihu festival would be held annually in Sarusajai Stadium, featuring traditional Assamese culture and performances. “Our focus this year is to popularize Bihu through advertisements and attract tourists,” he said.
