Ustad Kamini Kumar Narzary's birth centenary marked with three-day Bodo cultural festival in Kokrajhar

The 100th birth anniversary of Ustad Kamini Kumar Narzary, a celebrated Bodo folk dance artiste and the first recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from the tribal communities of Northeast India, was commemorated with a three-day cultural festival in Assam's Kokrajhar district.

The first-ever Bodo Harimu San (Bodo Culture Day) concluded on Monday at Tarang Jijiri Playground, bringing together around 800 artistes from different parts of the country for a series of cultural performances showcasing India's diverse folk traditions.

The concluding day's programme was attended by Assam Cabinet Ministers Jayanta Malla Baruah, Biswajit Daimary, Charan Boro and Bimal Borah, along with Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Hagrama Mohilary and other dignitaries. The leaders jointly cut a ceremonial cake to mark the birth centenary of Narzary.

One of the highlights of the event was a joint performance featuring traditional Bodo musical instruments, Kham and Sifung, by Hagrama Mohilary, Jayanta Malla Baruah and Biswajit Daimary. The performance drew considerable attention from the thousands of spectators present at the venue.

The three-day festival featured several traditional Bodo dance forms, including Bagurumba, Dahal Thungri, Na Gurnai, Daoshri Delai and Kherai. Performances representing other communities included Assam's Bihu, Koch-Rajbongshi Goyalini, Garo Wangala, Adivasi Dasai, Gorkha and Sambalpuri dances, Sarania Kachari Jaakhi, Hajong Lewatana, Rabha Maslangga and tea tribe Jhumur.

Cultural troupes from West Bengal, Manipur, Tripura, Odisha, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh also participated, presenting their respective folk traditions through dance, music and other cultural performances.

Besides stage performances, the festival featured cultural exhibitions and programmes highlighting the heritage and traditions of different communities. The event provided a platform for artistes from different regions to interact and showcase their cultural practices.

The festival was organised by the Bodoland Territorial Council government in collaboration with Bodo Harimu Afat and the Sangeet Natak Akademi to honour Narzary's contribution to Bodo folk art and culture.

The celebration also marked the first edition of Bodo Harimu San, an initiative aimed at showcasing and preserving the cultural heritage of the Bodo community while bringing together diverse ethnic traditions.