Assam: 10,000 Artists to Perform Bagurumba in Guwahati

GUWAHATI  is set to witness what is being described as the largest-ever collective performance of the traditional Bagurumba dance of Assam’s Bodo community on January 17. According to the state government, nearly 10,000 artists will perform simultaneously at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Stadium in Sarusajai, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Bagurumba is a traditional folk dance of the Bodo community and is often referred to as the “butterfly dance” or “dance of birds” due to its gentle, rhythmic movements that resemble the flight of butterflies and birds. The dance is deeply inspired by nature and symbolises harmony with elements such as leaves, rivers, wind, and wildlife.

More than a cultural performance, Bagurumba reflects the Bodo community’s nature-centric lifestyle, agrarian traditions, and strong sense of social unity. It is traditionally performed during the Bwisagu festival, which marks the Bodo New Year and the arrival of spring.

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Music plays a central role in maintaining rhythm and coordination in Bagurumba. The primary percussion instrument used is the kham, a traditional drum made of wood and goat skin, whose deep, resonant sound guides the dancers’ movements. Another key instrument is the sifung, a long bamboo flute with five holes, known for its soft and melodic tones that complement the dance’s graceful movements. The serja, a string instrument resembling a violin and played with a bow, adds emotional depth and musical continuity to the performance.

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Dancers traditionally wear colourful attire such as dokhona, jwmgra (fasra), and aronai, dominated by natural colours like yellow, green, and red. These costumes enhance the visual appeal of the performance while symbolising elements of nature.

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Officials said that members of the Bodo community from neighbouring Nepal have also arrived to participate in the event, with the objective of passing on the tradition to younger generations living outside the region.

The Bagurumba performance coincides with Prime Minister Modi’s two-day visit to Assam from January 17 to 18. According to PTI, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the ₹6,957-crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project at Kaliabor on January 18. He is also scheduled to virtually flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains and address a public gathering during the visit.

The mega cultural presentation is being seen as a significant moment for the visibility of Bodo heritage on a national platform, highlighting the role of folk traditions in preserving indigenous identity.