Music & Dance
Culture & Heritage
Music and Dance of Northeast India
An introduction to the musical traditions of Northeast India — the Bihu and Bagurumba dances, classical Sattriya, and traditional instruments like the dhol, pepa, kham, and sifung.
Music and dance are at the heart of cultural life in Northeast India, especially during festivals, where they turn a gathering into a celebration. The rhythms, instruments, and movements carry generations of tradition and are among the most recognisable expressions of the region's identity.
This guide introduces some of the best-known dances, the instruments that accompany them, and the place music holds in community life. Styles and names vary widely across communities, so treat this as a general introduction.
Dances of the region
The Bihu dance of Assam is famous for its energy and joy, performed during Rongali Bihu in bright traditional dress and accompanied by drums and pipes. It is one of the most iconic folk dances of eastern India.
The Bagurumba dance of the Bodo community is celebrated for its grace, often performed by women in flowing movements sometimes likened to the fluttering of butterflies, and closely tied to the spring festival Bwisagu.
Assam is also home to Sattriya, one of India's recognised classical dance forms, which grew out of the monastic Vaishnavite tradition and combines storytelling, music, and refined movement. Across the wider region, many communities maintain their own distinctive folk dances.
Traditional instruments
The region's music is built on a rich set of traditional instruments. In Assamese music, the dhol (drum) and the pepa (a horn-pipe made from buffalo horn) are central to the Bihu sound, alongside the taal (cymbals).
In Bodo music, the kham (a long drum) provides the rhythm while the sifung (a long bamboo flute) carries the melody, joined by the serja (a bowed string instrument) and smaller instruments. Each instrument has its place in the ensemble and its role in the music's character.
The role of music in community life
Music is woven into the seasons and ceremonies of the region, not reserved for the stage. Songs accompany festivals, celebrations, and gatherings, carrying stories, blessings, and shared memory from one generation to the next.
Because so much language lives in song — vocabulary, expression, and the rhythm of the spoken word — music is also a quiet keeper of the region's languages. Listening to and learning traditional songs is both a cultural pleasure and a genuine aid to feeling how a language sounds.
FAQ
What is the most famous dance of Assam? The Bihu dance, performed during Rongali Bihu, is the most iconic folk dance of Assam. Assam is also home to the classical Sattriya dance.
What is the Bagurumba? Bagurumba is a graceful traditional dance of the Bodo community, often performed by women and associated with the spring festival Bwisagu.
What instruments are used in the region's music? Common instruments include the dhol and pepa in Assamese music and the kham, sifung, and serja in Bodo music, among many others.
Can listening to music help me learn a language? Yes. Songs carry vocabulary, expression, and natural rhythm, so listening to traditional music is an enjoyable way to develop a feel for how a language sounds.