7,000 women in Assam's Barpeta perform ‘Thiyanam’, aim for record books

Seven thousand women in Assam’s Barpeta district united to perform ‘Thiyanam’, a Vaishnavite devotional recital, in an attempt to enter the record books as the largest ensemble for such a performance, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The recital was conducted at Howly on August 25, on the eve of ‘tirobhav tithi’ (death anniversary) of Srimanta Sankardeva, the Vaishnavite saint-scholar on whose compositions the ‘Thiyanam’ is mostly performed.

Taking to his official X handle, CM Sarma said, “On the eve of the auspicious Tirobhav Tithi of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev, 7,000 mothers in Howly performed the Thiyanam, a powerful reflection of the Sankari-Sattriya culture."

Participants from various parts, including Guwahati, Darrang, Udalguri, Nalbari, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Rowta and Mazbat, came together for the performance, organised by the Howly Raas Celebration Committee.

The performance seeks to enter the record books, including the Assam Book of Records, as the largest such recital of 'Thiyanam', officials said.

The 'Thiyanam' or 'Thiyonam' is usually performed on the compositions of Vaishnavite saints Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhabdeva.