Dhemaji: Majuli has every reason to rejoice in the New Year.

A 10-member team, led by mask maker of Samaguri Xatra Hem Chandra Goswami, will represent Assam in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

Although a mask tableau was presented earlier, the performance of a show will be a first.

Goswami told The Telegraph, "We are practising hard to keep the reputation of the state intact. We are going on January 10."

The mask-maker had proposed to adorn the pillars of all the under-construction bridges of the island with figures from Hindu mythology.

This proposal was forwarded to the government and he was asked to compile or make miniatures of all the artefacts and elements that reflect the essence of Majuli.

A mukha bhaona, derived from the epics and the writings of Xankardeb, will be the theme. Masks, however, are not used by all the characters in the show. While the gayan sings, the bayan plays the khul and the sutradhar explains the meaning of the bhaona to the audience. Only the bhaorias (actors) adorn the masks, added Goswami.

"A traditional mukha bhaona has almost 30 characters performing diverse roles. It could take about seven hours for a show but we have shortened things to retain the attention of the guests from India and abroad," said Goswami.

He said the Assam government's culture department was handling the arrangements. "Several organisations and people of Majuli have reposed faith in us and we will do our best."