Jhumoir dance originated from Assam tea gardens, reiterates Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati, Feb 24 (IANS) Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday reaffirmed that the Jhumoir Binodini dance is not a Jharkhand invention, but rather reflects the rich culture and traditions of Assam’s tea tribe clans.
“The Jhumoir dance is an authentic dance form of the tea tribe community in Assam and it was not related to Jharkhand as some people have claimed. In our state, the Jhumoir dance has its origins in tea gardens. This traditional folk dance is deeply ingrained in the culture of Assam’s tea garden communities, reflecting their everyday lives, nature, and folklore,” said the Chief Minister in his address at the Sarusajai stadium.
The dance, which is usually done in groups with traditional instruments like the flute, cymbals, and dhol (drum), is distinguished by its colourful costumes, expressive gestures, and rhythmic motions.
Sarma delivered a heartfelt address celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Assam’s tea garden communities.
The event was graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and approximately 60 foreign ambassadors, underscoring its significance on both national and international stages.
In his speech, the Chief Minister expressed his delight at the presence of esteemed guests, stating, “We are happy to have External Affairs Minister Jaishankar in the Jhumoir dance program. We are happy to have Heads of Missions here.”
The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to express gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his presence.
“I welcome PM Modi here. On behalf of Assam, thank you, PM Modi, for coming to Assam to attend the Jhumoir dance program,” he said.
The event aimed to showcase Assam’s rich cultural tapestry to a global audience, with performances by over 7,500 artists striving to set a Guinness World Record for the largest Jhumoir dance ensemble.
Sarma said that the Jhumoir Binandini event stands as a testament to Assam’s commitment to preserving and promoting its indigenous art forms while fostering a spirit of unity and cultural pride among its diverse communities.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Assam to attend the investment summit – Advantage Assam 2.0 that will be kickstarted on Tuesday.
–IANS
tdr/dan