Guwahati is all set to host a major cultural event as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Assam for a two-day visit beginning January 17. One of the key highlights of the visit will be a grand Bagurumba dance presentation at Sarusajai Stadium, where more than 10,000 artistes from the Bodo community will perform together.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Prime Minister is scheduled to reach Sarusajai Stadium at around 5:45 pm on Saturday. The cultural programme, titled Bagurumba Dwhou 2026, is being organised by the state government as part of its effort to take Assam’s traditional art forms to national and global platforms.
Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister said the initiative aims to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Assam, especially the traditions of the Bodo community, before a national audience. He clarified that the programme is not being organised to create any world record, but purely as a cultural presentation that reflects the state’s diversity and unity. 
Bagurumba is a traditional folk dance of the Bodo community and is deeply rooted in nature. The dance is inspired by flowers, birds and butterflies, and symbolises harmony between human life and the natural world. It is usually performed during festivals such as Bwisagu and Domasi and is considered a symbol of peace, joy and fertility.
According to official information, artistes from 81 Assembly constituencies across 23 districts of Assam will take part in the performance. Preparations for the event began earlier this month, with rehearsals held at the constituency level from January 8 to January 10. These were followed by centralised practice sessions at Sarusajai Stadium. The choreography and overall structure of the programme have been designed by 25 cultural experts from the Bodo community, with support from around 400 master trainers.
Due to the scale of the event, special arrangements have been made at the venue. Chief Minister Sarma said that around 32,000 people have already collected entry passes. However, seating for nearly 20,000 people will not be available inside the stadium, as two galleries have been closed to create space for the large performance area. For those who will not be allowed entry, separate arrangements have been made outside the stadium.
The Chief Minister appealed to the public to cooperate with the authorities to ensure the smooth conduct of the programme. He also urged people not to gather along National Highway routes, as heavy crowds are expected due to the Prime Minister’s visit and road movement. The police have been instructed to keep the stretch from Jalukbari to Beltola clear to allow smooth traffic flow.
BJP workers have also been requested not to line up along the National Highway to welcome the Prime Minister. Instead, they have been asked to extend their welcome near the airport to avoid congestion.
Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Borah said entry passes for the January 17 programme have already been exhausted. A total of 27,000 passes were distributed from Rabindra Bhavan, Kalakshetra and Sarusajai Stadium. Nearly 15,000 visitors from different parts of the state are expected to attend the programme. Those who could not secure passes were allowed to watch the final rehearsal on January 16 in the presence of the Chief Minister.
In a significant gesture of support, the state government has announced an honorarium of ₹25,000 for each participating dancer. It was also announced that the Bagurumba dance will be showcased in Delhi next year as part of efforts to promote Assam’s indigenous art forms at the national level.
On January 18, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Kaliabor in Nagaon district, where he will lay the foundation stone of the environmentally sensitive Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project, passing through areas near Kaziranga National Park. He is also scheduled to flag off new Amrit Bharat Express train services, further improving connectivity between the Northeast and northern India.
