Priyal Dholakia – Enigmatic Horizon Staff (Assistant Editor)
The Assamese New Year, Bihu or Rongali Bihu, is being celebrated in full swing across the state of Assam. People are welcoming their new year with great pomp, enthusiasm, and vigor. Bihu marks the beginning of the agricultural season in Assam, along with the onset of spring festivities. The Bihu celebrations are incomplete without the Bihu dance, which is the traditional folk dance of Assam. And this time around, the celebrations are even bigger and better with the Bihu dance bagging coveted glory on the world stage.
Yes, the Bihu dance has created history by earning a spot in the Guinness Book of Records. 11,000 dancers and dhulias (drummers) performed the world’s biggest-ever Bihu dance yesterday. This historic event was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all the other major heads of state. It is a moment of great joy for the entire state of Assam and the whole of India to have its dance form take the global spotlight.
By achieving this laurel, the native dance form has added global prestige to its name. And it has deservedly etched its name on the walls of worldwide fame and acclaim. To see such a huge ensemble of dancers tapping their feet to glory was indeed a visual marvel. It was no less than a spectacle to behold.
Wishes are pouring in from all corners of the country to mark the momentous occasion. People are lauding this remarkable accomplishment as well as the hard work put in by all the dancers. All the participating dancers put on a spectacular show, laced with magnificence. It was fulfilling to see months of their heat and sweat finally manifest into this cherished accolade. The Assam CM, Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, has also announced a price of INR 25,000 for each participant to reward their efforts.
As we celebrate this iconic feat, let us see some of its repercussions, both positive and negative.
- This record will re-instil the faith of people in our cultural prowess.
Any indigenous art form, including dance, reflects the cultural glories of that society. The Bihu dance is an integral part of Assamese culture. It is a symbol of cultural pride for the people of Assam. This vibrant dance form showcases the rich cultural spirit of the state. Having it featured in the Guinness Book of Records will make people, especially the younger generation, realize the power that lies in their cultural heritage. It will sensitize them and make them appreciate the cultural richness of their land. It will also offer them a glimpse of their cultural power and help them harness it rather than shrug it off. It will even open doors and flourish more forms of folk representation in the country. Kids and younger people will be drawn to learning more about Assamese folk culture and dance. This will ensure the sustenance of Assamese culture and reduce the threat of its waning. Moreover, it will help unify people and make them reconnect with their cultural roots.
- It will fetch an international repute to India’s culture.
Getting recognized at an international level will change how the world views India. In the present day, the tweaked media culture and Bollywood films have painted quite a distorted image of Indian culture on the world canvas, which is far from the truth. This record achievement will alter the world’s perception of India. It will ensure that India’s cultural sheen remains intact and does not get tarnished with the tides of time. It will also draw some amount of tourism, resulting in a boost to India’s economy. The world at large can witness the promising wonders of the land and learn from them
- The event has resulted in incurring quite a few costs.
As grand and mega as the event was in its scale, there were a lot of operational costs involved. A great deal of resources were at hand in organising this event. not to discount the time and efforts of the dancers. They had been practising for months on end to translate this vision into reality. A lot of money also went down the drain on peripheral arrangements like security, venue, and logistics. Of course, the glory reaped from it was significant. But it does not bury the fact that the money of many taxpayers was at stake in managing this event. The government should ensure that it puts proper financial machinery in place before taking on such large-scale events.
