The japi at a school playground in Bhurgaon on Saturday. Picture by UB Photos

Nagaon, Oct. 25: A 160metre radius japi, the Assamese traditional headgear, prepared by craftsman Subhash Medhi in Morigaon district with an aim to find a place in Guinness World Records, was unveiled today at a school playground in Bhurgaon, about 7km from Morigaon town.

Nearly 3,000 people can gather under the massive japi. Medhi, 36, had spent nearly Rs 8 lakh to prepare it. He used over 1,400 bamboos and 3,000 tokou (palm) leaves to prepare the japi in one year and nine months.

“Japi has been a part of rural Assamese life and culture and I want this to be known all over the world. So I decided to prepare the biggest japi. Once it is included in the Guinness World Records, it will invite much attention across the globe. This is an initiative to promote our culture,” Medhi said soon after the japi was unveiled by minister for information and public relations Basanta Das.

Congress MLA from Morigaon, Jonjonali Baruah, among others, attended today’s function.

“I am already in touch with the authorities of Guinness World Records and they have asked me to send all details formally for the coveted recognition. Video and still photographs of the function to unveil the japi was taken today and will be sent to them,” Medhi said.

Sources said Medhi had moved chief minister Tarun Gogoi and other MLAs and ministers but no financial aid reached him so far. This, however, did not deter him to pursue the Guinness dream.

Medhi had earlier prepared a Tricolour using bamboo which invited appreciation from many quarters in Assam.

Morigaon, about 100km from Guwahati, has many handicraft artisans whose works had not just invited appreciation but also provided employment to many through self-help groups.

The craftsmen had earlier prepared statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and others using wood.