Students performing Dhimsa during the inauguration of Bhogapuram airport on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
VIZIANAGARAM
The inauguration of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday not only marked a glorious aviation milestone for Andhra Pradesh but also presented a glittering show of rich tribal heritage of the State.
A sea of 13,750 schoolchildren performed flawlessly as they danced to the Dhimsa beats in unison as Mr. Modi arrived at the public meeting venue from the terminal building of the airport.
Just a day before, a similar performance by the children atthe same venue was recognised by the Guinness World Records as the “largest Dhimsa dance performnce.”
Dressed in vibrant pink saris with green borders and matching green blouses, 13,750 students hailing from Parvatipuram-Manyam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Alluri Sitarama Raju and other districts were divided into 433 groups of 50 each. They danced in circles while holding hands to the beat of traditional tribal percussion instruments and folk songs.
Special Chief Secretary M.T. Krishnababu, senior IAS officer M.M. Naik and other officials coordinated the dance event.
The Prime Minister and the galaxy of dignitaries had all praise for the children. Mr. Modi praised the stunning performance of the children during his speech.
Representatives of Guinness World Records from London issued the certificate to Tribal Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani.
For the students, it was a rare experience. “I saw the Prime Minister and Chief Minister from a very short distance. I saw them earlier on television. It was a thrilling experience,” said Y. Ramya, a student from Parvatipuram.
A parent, Marpina Ramagopal, from Anandapuram in Visakhapatnam district said that people across the State understood the importance of the great folk dance with the performance of students.
Gidugu Ramamurthy, Telugu Bhasha and Janapada Kalapeetham founder and retired teacher Badri Kurma Rao thanked the government for organising Dhimsa dance during the inauguration.
Published – August 02, 2026 01:22 am IST
