Assam: 15,555 women set world record with Dihanam at Sivasagar’s Jerenga Pathar

Sivasagar made history on February 3 as 15,555 women set a world record by performing Assamese Dihanam continuously for 45 minutes at the historic Jerenga Pathar, officials said.

The Dihanam, performed in three segments, has been officially recorded in the World-Wide Book of Records.

The event was organised under the initiative of the Ratnagarbha Tejaswini Foundation and led by renowned Dihanam exponent and recipient of the Dihanam Guru title, Amiya Neog Kalita. Artistes from different parts of the state participated in the record-setting performance. The programme was graced by the presence of Auniati Satra Satradhikar Dr. Pitambar Deva Goswami.

The world record was achieved through the performance of Dihanam in three distinct styles, the Sattriya or Bordoiha style prevalent in Majuli, the Sabahuwa style practiced in the Sivasagar district, and the general style popular across central and lower Assam.
In keeping with the spirit of the event, Vaishnav scholar and Auniati Satra Satradhikar Dr. Pitambar Deva Goswami was honoured with the Satra Pradeep Award.

Additionally, the late Badan Maliya was posthumously conferred the Dihanam Ratna title, while renowned artist Phanidhar Gogoi, popularly known as China Bayan from the Magarahat region, was honoured with the Bhaona Badya Sampad Mahiruh title. Lohit Handique and Mon Rajguru received the Bhagavat Acharya Award, Tulasi Rajkhowa Dangoria was conferred the Satra Sevak title, and several other cultural practitioners, including Dr. Dipen Das, were also felicitated.

It may be noted that Amiya Neog Kalita, who has been working in the field of Dihanam for decades, said the world record attempt was aimed at presenting Dihanam in its pure form to a global audience.

Sindhuja VB, Indian coordinator of the World-Wide Book of Records, lauded the achievement and confirmed its official recognition.