15,000 people play Khol to make it to Book of Records

Titabor (Assam):The traditional Khol (a type of drum), introduced by Vaishnava saint Sankardeva, today made it to the India Book of Records with 15,000 people playing it in unison for 15 minutes here for the first time in the state.

Assam`s state song `O Mur Apunar Desh` was also sung by the 15,000 people in one minute and five seconds at the same venue at Mezenga Pathar (field) here making it to the Asia Book of Records. The recordings of both the events would now be sent to the Guiness Book of World Records for inclusion in it, North East observer of India Book of Records Abhijit Baruah, also a Guiness record holder, said. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who represents Titabor in the state assembly, set the drum beating with the participants playing the `Khols` for fifteen minutes. Speaking on the occasion he said that the effort of Srimanto Sankardeva Sangha, organiser of the event, was laudable as it would not only create a world record but take the ideals and teachings of Sankardeva to the world platform. "It is heartening to note that youths of the state are going back to their roots and creating a special place in the world for the cultural traditions of the state," he said. The participants, between 11 to 80 years, were dressed in the traditional attire of a dhoti with a thin gold border, kurta, seleng chador (silk shawl), thekeru potia (turban) and gamocha (towel). Abhijit Baruah, who created a world record by running 150 kms in 23 hours and 19 minutes, and Ankita Borthakur were the two observers from India Book of Records and Asia Book of records. PTI/Pic Courtesy: UB Photos