3,000 mridangs strike together in Assam's Dibrugarh, marking a rare cultural milestone

Assam witnessed a rare and large-scale cultural moment as more than 3,000 mridangs and khol drums were played together at the Sapta Muktiyoddha Smriti Mridangia Kalakshetra in Tipamia, Tingkhang, Dibrugarh district, creating what organisers described as one of the largest coordinated performances of the traditional instrument in the state.

 

The simultaneous drumming became the centrepiece of a weeklong religious and cultural congregation, drawing thousands of participants and devotees.

 

The event was held as part of the Mridangia Gayan–Bayan Sanstha’s state-level convention and ran alongside an uninterrupted Bhagavat recitation that continued for seven days. The convergence of ritual chanting and traditional percussion turned the venue into a major cultural hub, highlighting the continuing relevance of Assam’s Vaishnavite musical traditions.

 

Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal attended the open session on the second day as chief guest. Other dignitaries present included Dr Pitambar Dev Goswami, Satradhikar of Sri Sri Auniati Satra, Lok Sabha MP Rameswar Teli, Assam minister Bimal Borah, and Bikul Deka. During the session, Teli released a commemorative publication titled Mridangam, aimed at documenting and preserving the legacy of the traditional percussion form.

 

Addressing the gathering, Sonowal said efforts to connect younger generations with Assam’s classical and devotional art forms were crucial in the present century. He noted that such initiatives help project the state’s cultural identity beyond regional boundaries. Borah echoed the sentiment, stating that sustained institutional support would be extended to strengthen and expand the mridangia tradition.

 

The organisers said the scale of participation and the coordinated performance underscored the living strength of Assam’s traditional music, positioning the mridang not only as a ritual instrument but as a unifying cultural force.