In a historic and culturally significant event, the youth of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir set a world record by performing the largest-ever Kashmiri folk dance. The record-breaking event took place during the ‘Kashur Riwaaj’ cultural event, with a staggering 10,000 young women participating.
The remarkable achievement was widely shared and celebrated on social media, with All India Radio News posting a video of the massive dance performance on its official Instagram handle. The event was organized by the Dagger Division of the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Punit Balan Group and the Baramulla District Administrative agencies. The Defence Spokesperson expressed the significance of the event, stating, “The mega event has successfully united the youth of Kashmir, celebrated their cultural heritage, and instilled a sense of pride and unity that will resonate for years to come.” The celebration was held in Baramulla and extended to several nominated schools across the district.
This record-setting event in Baramulla is reminiscent of a similar achievement last year by Kudumbashree, an all-woman network from Kerala. Kudumbashree organized a massive Thiruvathira dance performance at Kuttanellur Government College, which also set a world record. On that occasion, 7,027 Kudumbashree members came together to perform the ancient group dance form on the college campus. Thiruvathira, a dance traditionally performed during the Onam festival in the Malayalam month of Chingam, and sometimes in the month of Dhanu, was showcased on a grand scale.
Due to the sheer number of participants, the gigantic “Thiruvathirakali” (Thiruvathira dance) made its way into the Limca Book of Records and the Talent Record Book. Organizers are also considering submitting this achievement to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Kudumbashree, recognized as the world’s largest women’s network, was praised as a model of women’s empowerment by Revenue Minister K Rajan. He also emphasized the network’s significant status and influence. The district’s Onam celebrations, which included this record-breaking dance performance, were coordinated by the municipal corporation, the tourism department, and the district government.
Both events, one in Kashmir and the other in Kerala, exemplify the power of cultural traditions in bringing communities together and achieving global recognition. The success of these large-scale performances not only highlights the rich cultural heritage of the regions but also showcases the unity and empowerment of women through the preservation and celebration of traditional art forms.
