Bihu Xomragyi Urmimala Duarah (centre), flanked by Bihu Rani Rajashree Nath (left) and Bihu Konwari Nimisha Dihingia at Latasil playground in Guwahati on Tuesday.

Urmimala, who hails from Upper Assam's Sivasagar district, won the highest honour for a female Bihu performer at the 66th Rongali Bihu celebrations of the Guwahati Bihu Sanmilini. She edged out eight other expert Bihu dancers from across the state to win the title of Bihu Xomragyi.

The competition was held on Monday night.

Former Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta was present at the prize-distribution ceremony.

Urmimala received a sceptre, Rs 1 lakh, a citation, a scooter, a job at the city-based Nemcare Hospital and several other prizes.

Rajashree, who also hails from Sivasagar, was crowned Bihu Rani and received a citation and Rs 31,000 while Nimisha, who is from Moran in Dibrugarh district, was adjudged Bihu Konwari and was rewarded with a citation and Rs 21,000.

Text by a staff reporter and picture by UB Photos