Assam and its people were on cloud nine on February 24 when over 8500 artistes performed Jhumoir, the dance of joy and celebration of the Adivasis inhabiting the tea gardens of Assam for decades, at the Sarusajai Sports Complex in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Cabinet colleagues and the Assam Chief Minister besides diplomats and many business leaders. Their 16-minute performances reverberated across the horizon. It seemed time had stopped with the resonant sounds of dhamsa, madal, taal, flute, etc.
With the setting sun as the backdrop, Prime Minister Modi made a grand entry into the main venue. People had lined up on both sides of the street from the Airport to the venue of the performance.
Deeply moved by the vibrant culture of the North East, the Prime Minister posted on X, “Earlier in the evening, reached Guwahati to a welcome which I will always remember and cherish. From Guwahati Airport to Sarusajai Stadium, there were people showering their blessings. I cherish this affection and will keep working for Assam’s progress.”
Upon his arrival at the Sarusajai Sports Complex, the Prime Minister was warmly welcomed in a vehicle adorned with symbols representing the tea community. As he entered the stadium, the iconic song ‘Asom Amar Rupahi,’ immortalized by Sudhakantha Dr Bhupen Hazarika echoed throughout the venue.
The event started with Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister on behalf of the people of Assam. He thanked Mr Modi for recognizing Assamese as a classical language and for granting UNESCO World Heritage Site status to Charaideo Moidam. Dr. Sarma also appreciated Modi’s announcements in the Union Budget aimed at reviving the Namrup fertilizer plant.
In his address, the Prime Minister spoke about the significance of the Jhumoir dance, acknowledging its deep connection with Assam’s tea gardens. He reflected on the unforgettable moment when more than 11,000 artistes performed the Bihu dance together in 2023, a Guinness World Record performance. “The pride of Assam is reflected at this event,” Modi said, highlighting the vibrant culture of India. He also recalled his visits to Kaziranga, the recognition of Assamese as a classical language and his tribute to the great Ahom commander Bir Lachit Borphukan.
The Prime Minister applauded initiatives like financial support, establishment of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and worker rights protection. Additionally, he acknowledged the establishment of model schools in tea garden areas.
Encouraging the participants, Prime Minister Modi played the Dhamsa, a musical instrument of the tea community and expressed his admiration for the performance. “Jhumoir Binandini programme was phenomenal. As we celebrate 200 years of Assam tea, this event beautifully blends history, culture, and emotions. It was a vibrant display of Assam’s culture, especially of the great tea tribes.”
“I urge the people across the nation to learn more about the exceptional culture of tea communities. Today’s event will be remembered as a significant milestone in this direction,” Modi added.
Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma extended his deepest gratitude and posted in X, “Another golden day in Assam’s history! Assam is deeply grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for being personally invested and committed in taking the rich heritage of our state to the global arena.”
Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma also encouraged the participants by awarding them a monetary incentive of ₹25,000 each.
The success of ‘Jhumoir Binandini’ is owed to the hard work and dedication of many individuals, including the eminent artist Sajan Nayak who has been instrumental in promoting the culture of the tea and tribal communities through the incredible songs. Having been involved with the ‘Jhumoir Binandini’ since its inception, Nayak lauded the Assam Government for the initiative.
“Preparations for Jhumoir Binandini involved several stages: committee formations, song and demo videos, the training of master trainers, etc,” said Nayak who curated and choreographed the performance of the event, while penning three songs for the performance. He thanked the technical choreographers for helping him throughout .
“The success of ‘Jhumoir Binandini’ is the testament of arduous efforts. Performing this dance in front of Prime Minister Modi and other dignitaries was a privilege. Chief Minister Sarma has been guiding us throughout this journey, and we are eternally grateful,” stated Nayak.
He further noted, “For the world to see the Jhumoir dance that we used to perform inside the house complex or Karam Puja is a beacon of hope for our entire community. In the past, the tea tribes and Adivasis suffered from an inferiority complex due to various social reasons. But that environment has changed now. The success of ‘Jhumoir Binandini’ has instilled confidence in the people and encouraged them to embrace their identity.”
“The event sets a unique example in preserving and promoting the language, art, literature, and culture of our community. We are committed to keeping our heritage and traditions alive. On behalf of our society, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the Government of Assam. In the coming days, we have a greater responsibility, I will continue to dedicate myself to this cause with utter sincerity and dedication,” Nayak said.
