A spectacular performance of the traditional Dhimsa dance by more than 13,000 tribal women and girl students at the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram on Friday has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the "largest Dhimsa dance", according to The Hindu.
Representatives from Guinness World Records, who witnessed the performance, presented the official certificate to Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tribal Welfare Gummidi Sandhya Rani. According to The Hindu, the certificate recognises the achievement of the Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Andhra Pradesh, along with the thousands of participants who took part in the record-breaking cultural performance.
The event was organised ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport on August 1. As reported by The Hindu, the large-scale performance was designed to showcase the rich cultural heritage and tribal traditions of the North Andhra region before the Prime Minister's arrival.
Principal Secretary, Tribal Welfare, M.M. Nayak described the achievement as a historic milestone and said the Guinness World Records team from London appreciated the performance. According to The Hindu, he also expressed his gratitude to the officials, organisers, and participants whose coordinated efforts ensured the successful execution of the event.
Officials associated with the preparations for the Prime Minister's visit, including Nodal Officer Krishna Babu, Vizianagaram District Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy, Tribal Welfare Director S. Bhargavi, and other senior officials, were present during the occasion, The Hindu reported.
According to The Hindu, officials also confirmed that the Dhimsa performers would welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit on Saturday. To create a grand visual spectacle, the performers have been organised into 433 groups arranged in concentric circles, allowing them to present the traditional dance in a coordinated formation during the Prime Minister's arrival.
The record-breaking event not only celebrated the cultural identity of Andhra Pradesh's tribal communities but also highlighted the state's efforts to preserve and promote indigenous traditions on an international platform. According to The Hindu, the Guinness World Records recognition marks a significant achievement for both the Department of Tribal Welfare and the thousands of tribal women and students who participated in the historic performance.