Mega Jhumoir rehearsal in Dibrugarh sets stage for grand cultural event in Guwahati

Dibrugarh: In a vibrant display of cultural tradition, 3,471 Jhumoir dancers from upper Assam gathered at the Khanikar playground in Dibrugarh for a mega rehearsal ahead of the much-anticipated ‘Jhumoir Binondini' event in Guwahati scheduled for Feb 24.
A total of 8,000 tea community youths from across Assam will perform in front of PM Narendra Modi. The event being organised by the state's cultural affairs department, aims to showcase the Jhumoir dance, a cherished cultural identity of the state's tea community, on a global platform.
On Saturday evening rehearsals were held in Dibrugarh as a precursor to the grand performance to be held at Guwahati's Sarusajai Stadium. Young dancers from Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Charaideo, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts come together to perfect their synchronised moves. As many as 1,632 dancers from Dibrugarh, 1,100 from Tinsukia, 544 from Charaideo, 131 from Lakhimpur and 64 from Dhemaji mesmerised the huge gathering with their flawless coordination and energetic performances. The young dancers, dressed in traditional attire, brought the playground to life with their vibrant movements and infectious enthusiasm.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including state indigenous and tribal faith & culture minister Jogen Mohan, transport minister Prasanta Phukan, tea tribes & adivasi welfare minister Rupesh Gowala, Kaziranga MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Assam tourism corporation chairman Rituparna Baruah, additional chief secretary B Kalyan Chakravarthy and director of cultural affairs Rahul Das. Renowned Bihu proponent Ranjit Gogoi, popular Adivasi singer Sajan Nayak, choreographer Pankaj Ingti and other master trainers were also present.
The Jhumoir dance, also known as Jhumur, is a traditional folk dance performed primarily by the Adivasi tea tribes during the harvest season. Accompanied by traditional instruments like the Madal, Dhol, Taal and Flute, the dance involves performers standing in rows, holding each other's waists and swaying rhythmically while singing couplets and clapping hands. The dance is a celebration of community, culture and the rich heritage of the tea tribes.
For the participants, the rehearsal was both a learning experience and a moment of pride. Anjali Munda, a 20-year-old dancer from Charaideo, shared her excitement: "Being part of such a large-scale event is a dream come true. We have been practising for months and today's rehearsal has given us the confidence to deliver our best in front of the Prime Minister."
Speaking about the significance of the upcoming event, minister Jogen Mohan, who is also the guardian minister of Dibrugarh, said, "We aim to showcase the vibrant culture of Assam's tea communities through the ‘Jhumoir Binondini' mega event. The enthusiasm and dedication shown by these young performers is truly inspiring. Coordinating thousands of dancers is a challenging task. However, the enthusiasm and commitment of these young performers is noteworthy. Their efforts will shine on Feb 24 before PM Modi and the entire world."