Draped in Mekhela Chador, scores of nasonis (Bihu dancers) are descending from the hills of West Karbi Anglong district to be part of the initiative envisioned by the Government of Assam to create a Guinness World Record on April 14 at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati. Accompanying them are several dhulias (drummers). Spring is generally the time of love in Assam, and an enthusiasm is invariably on the cards. This time, it is different because of the impending shot at the record.
The one who is leading the pack in her district is Utpala Hukai. She, besides three others from West Karbi Anglong, was part of the trainers’ training at Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati which was a precursor to the next and most important step of coaching and selecting nasonis, to join thousands others coming from all over the State to be part of the attempt.
“Authorities have asked us to select 50 nasonis from our district for the event. Accordingly, four of us are involved in the process of selecting and training them. We were involved in a four-day training programme from March 21 to 24,” Utpala told Asom Barta.
Utpala personally made it a point to reach out to the household of these dancers to create awareness among their family members about the initiative. “Because of many factors, Bihu is not mainstream in our district. Occasionally, we have reasons to perform Bihu, and organise awareness around it,” she told this reporter justifying why she is reaching out to select the dancers, unlike other districts of the State where enthusiasm is very high.
Like Utpala, Shirushree Saikia of Dhemaji is another master trainer who was part of the workshop meant for the likes of her in Guwahati. “In order to establish Bihu at the international level, I am honoured to be part of the effort. I am thankful to the Government for taking care of us during the training. Even the Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma came to encourage us. In our district, the selection process is in full swing. With support from the right quarters, we are confident of taking Bihu to where it should belong,” she told this newsletter.
Bidhan Deuri Hukai, who participated as a master trainer representing Bongaigaon district, is also occupied with the quest in sight. He is a dhulia, who has mastered the Bihu dance besides some finer aspects of this folk tradition of Assam. “We joined the master trainer programme in Guwahati based on a direction from our district administration. After our training, we met in Bongaigaon wherein we decided to have the selection of nasonis and dhulias,” Deuri said, adding that the district quota of 100 participants was filled up on March 13.
Ace dancer Madhurima Choudhury informed Asom Barta that a preliminary meeting of Bihu specialists chaired by the Minister of Cultural Affairs, Bimal Bora, was convened wherein the modalities towards the attempted feat was finalised. “It was followed by the formation of a model group and then a model video was shot for training of master trainers. I also contributed my bit by showing a few steps to the nasonis,” she said.
Sonitpur district is also witnessing hectic preparation for the D-Day. Master trainers are busy across 12 centres in the district to train and select 1,100 participants. “We are getting all support from the district administration,” dhulia trainer Dawar Kashyap told this reporter over phone.
Janmoni Phukan, a name to reckon with in the cultural sphere of Sivasagar, was part of the master training. “We used to get ready by 7.30am. After that, it was all rehearsal. Everybody put in their best. We will be performing Jojona, Bihu Naam etc. with dhol, pepa (a hornpipe), gogona (a bamboo Jew harp) for about 15 minutes on April 14,” he said, adding that preparation in the district is in full swing.
The dress rehearsal for the programme will take place from April 9 to 12. In the meantime, a promotion campaign through various media has already begun. In New Delhi and Kolkata, metro trains have been draped with Bihu posters announcing to the world that something unique is in the air of Assam on April 14, besides the excitement of love.
On the other hand, State Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has reached out to many distinguished guests seeking their presence in the event. Some of them will be diplomats from ASEAN and G20 nations, but the most important of them will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
