The Hundred Drums Wangala Festival Committee earned a title for the largest Wangala dance during its golden jubilee celebrations in Tura.
The Hundred Drums Wangala Festival Committee, India, has earned a Guinness World Records title for the largest Wangala dance, according to ANI and Deccan Herald. The record was achieved during the golden jubilee celebrations of the festival at the Wangala Playground in Tura, West Garo Hills, where over 1,000 traditional Dama players and more than 3,500 dancers performed.
Guinness World Records adjudicator Richard Williams Stenning from the United Kingdom announced the record on Saturday evening. The event was attended by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as the chief guest, alongside Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
The festival, which is a post-harvest celebration of the Garo community, began in 1976. Chief Minister Sangma stated that the 1,000-drum performance fulfilled the vision of his father, the late PA Sangma. The state government provided Rs 6 crore for the organisation of this year's festival, with Rs 36.65 lakh sanctioned for the Guinness World Records application and adjudication process.
During the event, a dance competition was held where Chidaogre won a trophy and Rs 2 lakh. Gondenggre was the first runner-up, receiving a trophy and Rs 1.5 lakh, while Sadolbra was the second runner-up with a trophy and Rs 1 lakh.
