Under the leadership of artiste Banshi Kaul, the team has been selected as a member of the Indian cultural team which will perform classical and folk cultural programmes of 16 Indian States in several cities of Russia, including Moscow. The team has left for Russia from New Delhi yesterday. Prominent personalities of Indian classical music namely Ustad Amzad Ali Khan, Pandit Hariprasad Saurachia and dancer Bharati Shivaji of Kerala will also perform on behalf of the Indian team. The programme has been organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India with cooperation from the zonal cultural centres. The North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) has been made the nodal agency for the purpose.

The Bihu team from Assam which has been invited and selected by the NZCC, will be led by Bhanu Deka Saharia of Mangaldai Youth Club Music College, who has already earned appreciation for her excellent performance in Xatriya and Bihu dances. Prominent dhuliya Som Nath Borah will assist Deka Saharia. The other three members of the Bihu team prepared for the programme in New Delhi, under the supervision of the NZCC.

Prior to their departure to Russia, the India cultural team performed in a function held at the National School of Drama, New Delhi on September 21. The dignitaries of Russian Embassy, and senior government officials of the Ministry of Culture enjoyed the programme. Sources said that the dignitaries were enthralled by the Bihu dance performance and that they also appreciated the spirit of Assamese folk culture.

It is to be mentioned that Bhanu Deka Saharia has brought laurels to the State through her performance in different cities — New Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Surat, Andaman, Jaipur, etc. Deka Saharia is the only artiste from Darrang district to lead the State team to perform abroad.