ASSAM | 10,000 Artistes, One Unforgettable Night: 'Bagurumba Dwhou' Lights Up Sarusajai

Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and thousands of enthralled spectators witnessed the historic ‘Bagurumba Dwhou’ at Sarusajai Stadium on Saturday night, bringing Guwahati to life.

It was one of the biggest cultural events Assam has ever seen. The grand event brought together over 10,000 artists who performed the traditional Bagurumba dance of the Bodo community.

At approximately 5:20 pm, the Prime Minister touched down in Guwahati's LGBI airport, where he was greeted by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya. Leading a roadshow from National Highway-17 outside the airport to Azara, the Prime Minister travelled to Sarusajai for the mega cultural event under tight security. 

Beginning his address in Bodo and Assamese, the Prime Minister greeted the people of Assam with warm Magh Bihu wishes. Reflecting on his frequent visits, he said, “No Prime Minister has come to Assam as often as I have,” emphasising the strong bond he shares with the state.

Highlighting the Bagurumba dance as a cultural hallmark of the Bodo community, the Prime Minister praised Assam’s art and culture, calling them a source of joy and pride. “Assam’s traditions are a celebration of life, and every opportunity to witness them is precious,” he said.

The evening began with PM Modi paying tribute to Assamese icons like Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Lachit Borphukan. The Prime Minister was also presented with a portrait of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma by BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary.

Furthermore, in a symbolic gesture celebrating indigenous culture, Prime Minister Modi played the traditional Bodo musical instrument serja, drawing applause from the audience and cultural performers present at the venue.

The Prime Minister reflected on Assam’s journey from unrest to harmony. “Where once gunfire echoed, today the melodious tones of the kham and siphung resonate,” he said, expressing national pride in Assam’s transformation. He also praised Bodoland’s youth for embracing peace under the Bodoland Peace Accord, stressing the government’s commitment to sustaining stability and institutional revival in the region.

In a political reference, Prime Minister Modi alleged that the Congress had opposed conferring the Bharat Ratna on cultural icon Bhupen Hazarika and had failed to heed the aspirations of the people of Bodoland. He said the BJP government has worked to reduce the distance between Assam and Delhi, ensuring greater attention to the state’s concerns and development needs.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma: A Cultural Milestone

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the programme as “the first and largest cultural showcase ever for the Bodo community,” describing Bodoland as an “island of peace”. He credited PM Modi for the Bodoland Welfare Council, which has strengthened institutional support for the community.

CM Sarma emphasised the historic nature of the evening: “An event of this scale has never been organised in Guwahati before,” highlighting its significance for Assam and the Bodo community.

BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary’s Appeal

BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary addressed the Prime Minister with a special appeal to complete the remaining phases of the BTC agreement. He also expressed gratitude to the central and state governments for supporting the Bagurumba Dwhou, helping bring this monumental cultural event to life.

Bagurumba Dwhou: A Night to Remember

The heart of the evening was the Bagurumba Dwhou itself. Over 10,000 artistes performed the iconic Bodo dance, mesmerising the audience. At 7:44 pm, the performance concluded with a dazzling laser light show, leaving the crowd in awe. Following the success of Bihu and Jhumoir on national and international stages, Bagurumba has now earned recognition as a world-class cultural performance.

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