Guwahati, April 23: Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani, a pioneer in bringing the Assamese dance form from the village courtyard to the stage in Assam, will work on governor P.B. Acharya's suggestion to organise shows across India.

Sanmilani president Kailash Sarma told reporters here today that Acharya had recently visited and enjoyed the performances of artistes at the Bihu function organised at Latasil playground here.

"It was a great privilege to have the governor among us during the recent Rongali Bihu celebrations at Latasil. He was enthralled by the performances of ethnic artistes and suggested that they should be promoted outside the state. He told us to work on a project to stage the performances of ethnic artistes across India and assured us that the Assam government would sponsor the project," he said.

Sarma said the governor also showed a keen interest in promoting other ethnic performances like Deuri Bihu and Mising Bihu, which were also staged at Latasil playground, outside Assam.

He said the Sanmilani would soon start working on the project and submit a detailed report to the governor.

Sarma said the Sanmilani has been making a huge contribution towards promoting the ethnic dances on stage since 1952. It has also been trying to provide a platform to the folk culture of the state and attract the younger generation towards Bihu.

Documentary filmmaker Rajib Hari Kaushik has directed Oitiyamondito Latasil Bihutali 1952-2012 Khristabdo (the historic Latasil Bihutali from 1952 to 2012) to showcase the evolution of the Sanmilani.

Sarma said Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, Assam circle, recently presented an award of excellence to the organisers of Latasil Bihu. "We are grateful that BSNL adjudged Latasil Bihu as the best Bihu staged in Assam. The award has boosted the morale of the organisers to enrich the Bihu culture in the state, especially among the younger generation," he added.

At a time when the dress code for Bihu artistes has become a controversy, the Sanmilani has kept itself at a "safe" distance from such matters. "We do not want to impose anything on the artistes. We simply appealed to them to perform in a decent manner without hurting anyone's sentiment and culture," Sarma said.

'Bribe' inquiry

The Beltola Bohagi Utsav Committee has instituted an inquiry to probe the allegation that two judges were bribed by a group of Bihu dancers to fix the best Bihu dancer award this year.

The committee presents the Patmadoi award to the best Bihu dancer every year. The award carries Rs 2 lakh cash, a citation and other gifts.

Sources said Gunamoni Bora, one of the participants, alleged that two members of the three-judge panel were bribed by the group of Asha Bora Phukan to win the award. Bora alleged the judges were given Rs 1 lakh by the group to name Phukan the best dancer.

Both the judges have rejected the allegation as baseless. Phukan has also denied the charge and is ready to face any inquiry. However, the sources said, the committee has instituted an inquiry to probe the matter and a judge against whom the bribery charge was levelled has decided to move court to file a defamation suit against Bora.