GUWAHATI: A striking aerial photograph of Bagurumba dancers performing at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati has been featured by the BBC among its selection of the nine most remarkable images of 2026 so far.
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The image captures thousands of performers dressed in traditional attire as they participated in a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest-ever Bagurumba dance performance by the Bodo community on January 17. Around 10,000 artists took part in the event, transforming the stadium into a vibrant display of colour and movement.
Describing the photograph, the BBC noted that the dancers' formations created an uninterrupted pattern of tessellating colours when viewed from above. The publication compared the visual effect to the abstract geometric works of renowned Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, stating that the image echoed the artistic ambition seen in his unfinished masterpiece, Victory Boogie Woogie.
Reacting to the recognition, Assam Cabinet Minister Bimal Borah shared the news on X, calling it “a breathtaking moment of Assam that captivated the world”. He described the photograph as a tribute to the beauty of Bodo culture and Assam's rich cultural heritage.
Bagurumba, often referred to as the "Butterfly Dance" of the Bodo community, is a central feature of the Bwisagu festival. Deeply rooted in nature and tradition, the dance symbolises peace, joy and collective harmony, while both the dance and the festival reflect respect for nature and the environment.
Traditionally, Bagurumba is performed by women of the Bodo community, while men accompany the performance by playing traditional musical instruments. The dancers wear brightly coloured handwoven attire, including the dokhna, jwmgra and aronai, and perform graceful movements inspired by butterflies and elements of nature to the rhythm of handmade percussion instruments.