Over 11,000 folk artistes dance & regale Assam to two Guinness records

Performers set two individual records — one for the ‘Bihuwa & Bihuwati’, or male and female Bihu performers in traditional attire, and the other for ‘Dhuliyas’, Assamese men playing folk instruments.

The performance took place at Guwahati’s Sarusajai Stadium | Credit: Assam government

Guwahati: On the evening of 13 April, Assam created two Guinness World Records at the same venue — the world’s largest performance of traditional Bihu dance, and the largest performance by folk musicians. 

Over 11,000 folk dancers and musicians from across the state gathered at Guwahati’s Sarusajai Stadium for a mesmerising performance, after weeks of rigorous practice.

At a countdown of 5, the ‘Bihuwa (male Bihu artistes)’ and ‘Bihuwati (female Bihu artistes) performed for 15 minutes, followed by the ‘Dhuliyas’ — Assamese men playing folk instruments like the dhol, pepa, toka, and gogona, in their traditional Muga attire.

The performance was part of the Rongali Bihu celebrations that mark the onset of Bohag, the first month of the Assamese calendar. 

Dhol beats reverberated across the stadium as thousands of Bihu dancers matched footsteps — the audience captivated by their energy and grace. 

The official adjudicator of Guinness World Records, Rishi Nath, said that the previous largest gathering of Bihu dancers at one place involved 500 participants.

Weeks of preparations

Bihu workshops were conducted by master trainers across 31 districts of Assam. These workshops were attended by performers in the 15-35 age group. The workshops concluded on 8 April, after which the participants assembled in Guwahati. Dress rehearsals followed from 9-12 April, as well as hours before the performance. 

The official certificates of the Guinness World Records will be handed over to the Assam government at another performance to be held at the same venue Friday. The event will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A certificate of appreciation will also be awarded by the chief minister to each of the participants. 

At Thursday’s event, the Assam government was also awarded the GI certificate on the ‘Gamosa of Assam’ by the Registrar of Geographical Indications (GI) Registry. The certificate acknowledges that a product originates in a certain area, and has unique qualities by virtue of its origin there.