More than 10,000 artistes will perform the traditional Bodo dance form ‘Bagurumba’ at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati on January 17, aiming to present the indigenous art form on a global platform. Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the event on the same evening.
The announcement was made on Friday, January 2, by Assam Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Borah, who outlined the rehearsal schedule and event preparations.
Over 10,000 artistes will perform the Bodo dance form Bagurumba at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati on January 17. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the event, Assam Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Borah said. Rehearsals will be held from January 12 to 15, with January 16 as a rest day.
Rehearsals and preparations
According to the Cultural Affairs Department, artistes from across Assam will participate in rehearsals scheduled between January 12 and January 15. January 16 has been designated as a rest day ahead of the main performance on January 17 evening.
Officials said the structured rehearsal plan is intended to ensure coordination among the large number of performers and smooth execution during the main event.
Building on recent large-scale cultural showcases
The upcoming Bagurumba performance follows a series of major cultural events hosted at Sarusajai Stadium. On February 24, 2025, more than 8,000 artistes from tea garden communities performed the Jhumoir dance at the same venue, an event also attended by the Prime Minister.
Assam has earlier achieved national attention for large cultural gatherings, including setting a Guinness World Record for the largest Bihu dance performance with 11,304 dancers and drummers on April 14, 2023 – another event witnessed by Prime Minister Modi.
Cultural significance of Bagurumba
Bagurumba is a traditional dance of the Bodo community, known for its graceful movements and synchronised formations. Cultural officials said the January 17 performance is intended to highlight the diversity of Assam’s indigenous traditions and promote them to national and international audiences.
Why this matters for Guwahati and Assam
Hosting a large-scale cultural event with participation from across the state reinforces Guwahati’s role as Assam’s primary cultural and event hub. The programme is expected to draw significant public attention and contribute to cultural tourism and community representation.
What happens next
Final logistical arrangements and venue-level preparations are expected to be completed ahead of January 12, when rehearsals begin. Authorities are likely to issue advisories related to crowd management, traffic, and entry protocols closer to the event date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The performance will be held on January 17 at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the event on the evening of January 17.
