Guwahati

The spotlight will be on Assam’s rich indigenous heritage on Saturday as the traditional Bagurumba dance of the Bodo community is set to be performed on a massive scale in Guwahati during the first day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to the state.

More than 10,000 artistes will take part in the grand recital, titled ‘Bagurumba Dwhou 2026’, to be held at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Stadium in the Sarusajai sports complex.

Ahead of the visit, Modi said the programme reflects the cultural vibrancy of the Bodo community and underlined the Centre’s commitment to fulfilling its aspirations. In a post on X, the prime minister said the event celebrates Bodo culture and honours the vision of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma, the iconic leader of the community.

Brahma, who passed away in 1990 at the age of 34, is revered as ‘Bodofa’, meaning guardian of the Bodos.

Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, along with other dignitaries, will be present to witness the performance.

According to organisers, nearly 8,000 dancers from 81 assembly constituencies across 23 districts will participate, along with musicians and supporting performers, taking the total number of artistes to over 10,000. Final rehearsals were held on Friday and reviewed by the chief minister.

Sarma said arrangements have been made to accommodate around 20,000 spectators inside the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium within the Sarusajai complex. Additional viewers with passes will be able to watch the event on large LED screens installed at designated holding areas.

“The pride of Assam is deeply linked to this performance. We seek the cooperation of all,” the chief minister said.

Bagurumba, one of the most recognisable folk dances of the Bodo community—one of Assam’s largest indigenous groups—is inspired by nature and symbolises harmony between humans and the natural world. Traditionally performed by women, with men providing musical accompaniment, the dance features fluid movements that echo butterflies, birds, flowers and leaves.

The Guwahati recital incorporates the word ‘dwhou’, meaning wave in the Bodo language, and will be accompanied by songs in Bodo and traditional instruments such as kham, serja, sifung, jatha and japshring, many of which carry Geographical Indication status.

Closely linked to festivals like Bwisagu, the Bodo New Year, and Domasi, Bagurumba reflects themes of peace, fertility and collective joy.

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Officials said extensive preparations went into the event, with 25 experts training around 400 master trainers in Guwahati, who subsequently coached performers across districts. The Assam government has organised similar large-scale showcases of Bihu and Jhumoir dances in recent years.