Prime Minister Modi to Witness Jhumoir Binandini: Assam’s Grand Tribute to 200 Years of Tea and Culture

Guwahati: Assam is set to host a historic celebration of its rich cultural heritage and the 200th anniversary of its iconic tea industry. In a grand event titled Jhumoir Binandini, organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will witness a spectacular assembly of 8,000 Jhumoir performers, including dancers, drummers, flutists, and musicians. 

This cultural extravaganza, taking place on Monday, promises to be a vibrant showcase of Assam’s tea tribe traditions and their deep connection to the state’s identity. 

PM Modi To Attend Jhumoir Binandini Event on Feb 24

Jhumoir, a traditional folk dance of Assam’s tea tribes, is deeply rooted in the rhythms of tea garden life. Originating from the word Jhum, which refers to shifting cultivation, the dance and its accompanying music reflect the agricultural and social practices of the region. 

In Assam, Jhumoir’s melodies and movements are intricately tied to the tea gardens, symbolizing the harmony between nature, labor, and culture. As Bimal Borah, Assam’s Minister of Cultural Affairs and Industries and Commerce, aptly put it, “It’s the rhythm of Jhumoir that inspires the blend in your morning cup of tea.”  

In an exclusive conversation with Republic Media Network, Borah emphasized the significance of the event. “We start our day across the world with a cup of tea, but the hands that pluck the tender leaves, the music that inspires those hands, and the culture that blends it all, live in the heart of Assam,” he said. 

EAM Jaishankar To Attend Event

He added that this celebration marks a historic moment as the cultural essence behind Assam’s tea industry will be showcased globally, with Prime Minister Modi and over 50 foreign envoys, led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar , in attendance.  

(Preparations underway for Jhumoir Binandini event/Image source: Republic)

The Assam government is also taking significant steps to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of its tea tribes. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans to establish 800 cultural clubs across the state’s tea gardens, with an allocation of Rs. 25,000 for each garden. 

“This year, we will allot Rs. 25,000 to each of the 800 tea gardens to construct cultural clubs, ensuring the vibrant traditions of the tea tribes are celebrated and enhanced,” Sarma said. 

Additionally, each of the 8,000 performers participating in Jhumoir Binandini will receive Rs 25,000 as a token of appreciation.  

The event’s sound design and technical execution are being overseen by renowned Bollywood sound engineers Debajit Changmai and Amrit Pritam, both hailing from Assam. 

Speaking to Republic, Changmai described the challenges of creating a seamless audio experience for such a large-scale performance. “Distributing sound evenly across a 360-degree field is incredibly challenging, but we’ve achieved it. This is going to be a mega show in every sense,” he said.  

As Assam commemorates two centuries of its tea industry alongside the Advantage Assam 2.0 investment summit, Jhumoir Binandini stands as a testament to the state’s cultural richness and its global significance. 

The event not only honors the legacy of Assam’s tea gardens but also highlights the enduring spirit of its people, whose traditions continue to inspire the world, one cup of tea at a time.