In a historic tribute to Assam’s rich cultural heritage, the State hosted the grand Jhumoir Binandini (Mega Jhumoir) event on February 24, 2025, at the Sarusajai Stadium, Guwahati. This spectacular celebration, graced by the Prime Minister of India, witnessed an unprecedented gathering of 8,000-odd artistes, performing the Jhumoir dance on a single stage. Organized by the Government of Assam through the Cultural Affairs Department, the event was a remarkable showcase of Assam’s vibrant folk traditions and an homage to the tea-tribe community’s enduring legacy.
Jhumoir: A Dance Rooted in Tradition
Jhumoir holds a special place in the lives of Assam’s tea garden workers. Historically, it served as a form of recreation after long hours of labour in the plantations and is an integral part of festivals such as Tushu Puja and Karam Puja, which celebrate the harvest season. These traditions reflect gratitude to nature, honouring crops as symbols of prosperity and abundance.
The origins of Jhumoir are deeply intertwined with Assam’s tea industry. Following the discovery of tea plants by Robert Bruce in 1823, the British recognized Assam’s potential for large-scale tea cultivation. To meet labour demands, workers were brought in from regions such as present Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana, forming a distinct tea community with its own cultural and social identity. Despite the challenges of migration and colonial rule, the tea workers preserved their traditions, with Jhumoir emerging as an artistic and cultural emblem.
Cultural pioneers such as Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala, Kalaguru Bishnuprasad Rabha, and Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika played a crucial role in elevating Jhumoir beyond the tea gardens, integrating it into Assam’s broader folk heritage.
The Spirit of Jhumoir
Jhumoir is more than just a dance; it is a reflection of identity, heritage, and resilience. Dancers perform barefoot, symbolizing their deep-rooted connection to the land that sustains them. Women adorn red-bordered sarees, accessorized with traditional silver jewellery such as the Dokhna (waist ornament) and Chudi (bangles), embodying the cultural vibrancy of the tea community. Their graceful sways and twirls mirror the rhythmic movements of tea pluckers, transforming daily toil into mesmerizing artistic expression.
The Build-Up to the Mega Event
Jhumoir is traditionally performed in open spaces, with dancers forming semi-circles or straight lines, moving in synchronized harmony. While women lead the dance, men play a crucial role as singers and musicians, creating a captivating musical backdrop with instruments such as the dhol, madal, dhamsa, and bamboo flute.
Beyond its visual and rhythmic appeal, Jhumoir is distinguished by its lyrical compositions, which narrate the struggles, joys, and resilience of Assam’s tea community. Over time, this folk art has become a powerful medium for preserving their history and cultural identity.
The Rehearsals and Selection Process
The Jhumoir Binandini event was meticulously planned and executed with the guidance of a 13-member Expert Committee and a five-member core committee. Both committees worked in tandem to perfect the 17-minute-long audio composition and the accompanying choreography. Once this was finalised, began the training sessions for master trainers for preparing performers. In January, the preparations at the LAC level was undertaken bringing together dancers from various tea gardens. Each selected team consisted of 32 members—25 dancers, six instrumentalists, and a Rasika. The selection process was rigorous. Zonal-level performances took place between February 3 and 13, 2025, refining coordination under expert guidance. To ensure seamless execution, 350 Master Trainers were appointed to mentor the performers. In a nutshell, the vision of our Chief Minister was being executed at the ground with near perfection. Finally, selected performers arrived in Guwahati on February 20 for the D-Day. A dedicated control room was set up at Sarusajai Stadium to oversee the event’s execution.
A Tribute to Assam’s Tea Heritage
This celebration marked the 200th anniversary of Assam’s tea industry, commemorating a journey that began in 1823. As home to over 800 tea gardens, Assam’s tea sector remains a defining feature of its economy and cultural identity. Jhumoir Binandini served as a fitting tribute to the tea tribes and Adivasi communities whose contributions have shaped Assam’s tea heritage.
As Assam’s tea legacy continues to flourish on the global stage, so does Jhumoir, a testament to the enduring spirit, traditions, and artistic brilliance of its people. Through every beat of the drum and every rhythmic step, Jhumoir continues to narrate the story of a community that, despite challenges, has danced its way into the heart of Assam’s cultural legacy.
I am proud to have been given the opportunity to spearhead a challenge, the execution of which ensured that an integration, not only symbolic but also real, was witnessed right before the presence of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and our Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, both of whom have worked day-in and day out to ensure Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas. Space constraint is holding me back from thanking all those involved in the process individually but I know we could not have done it without each one of you.
(The author is Minister, Cultural Affairs Department, others, Government of Assam)
