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Assam’s Mobile Theatres Facing Uncertain future due to COVID-19

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Mobile Theatre

Mobile Theatre groups of Assam (known as “Bhraymaman Theatre” in Assamese) consist of a collective of actors, singers, dancers, directors, action artists, makeup artists, workers, and the producer.

The theatre group moves from place to place within the state– from villages to towns to cities as indicated by the word ‘mobile.’  

Mobile theatre has become increasingly visible in Assam as a medium of entertainment and as a part of its public culture. In the present time, almost 50 theatre groups perform their plays all over the state, making mobile theatre widely popular and visible.

The first mobile theatre group of Assam was established in 1963 in Assam. It was Nataraj Theatre founded by veteran theatre organiser Achyut Lahkar, also known as the “Father of Bhraymaman or Mobile Theatre.”

He founded the popular Natraj Theatre at Pathsala which performed across Assam and in other states for nearly 40 years.

But in the prevailing situation following the outbreak of dreaded COVID-19 pandemic throughout the globe uncertainty looming large over the normal functioning of various sectors including the most efficient mass media the mobile theatre industries in Assam. The long duration of lockdown has affected normal life severely.

Due to the unprecedented situation people of the state are facing hard days. Most of the people those who earn their livelihood by daily wages are the worst sufferer of the incident.

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Mobile theatre industry in the state which provide employment opportunity to a huge number of artists of the state including general people is also facing uncertainty. In the state, more than sixty such theatres are running.

Assam has around 50 mobile theatre groups, each giving employment to 100 to 150 people, including artistes, and those who make pandals (temporary structure for performance) and arrange light and sound.Losing a day’s performance costs a financial loss of around Rs 1 lakh for a theatre group.

In the first week of August every year, these theatre groups set out on a nine-month journey, reaching out to people in every nook and corner of the state.

In Pathsala town where the journey of the mobile theatre begun through Nataraj Theatre has also become a topic for discussion.

Krishna Roy one octagenarian who have spent around sixty years in this field including running independently the Abahan Theatre for about eight years expressed unhappiness over the situation and expressed hope that the problem will solve and in this regards goodwill of the state government is a must. He also appealed that in the present situation everybody should strictly obey the restriction imposed on to cope up with the situation.

Meanwhile, Kiran Lahkar wife of Achyut Lahkar doyen of mobile theatre concept expressed concern over the situation.
She said, “The workers of Mobile theatre face a huge loss in the industry due to coronavirus outbreak. It should be saved anyhow. The government should look into the matter.”

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Giridhar Choudhury senior advocate also expressed unhappiness in the situation. He said, “The first mobile theatre group of Assam was established in 1963 at Pathsala. Now in Assam, more than one lakh people are engaged in this industry. Many of them facing a tough time due to this COVID-19 lockdown. Mobile theatre should not be close down.Assam Government should come forward to help this industry.

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NORTHEAST

Woman cuts off man’s genitals for refusing to marry her; Hospitalized

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In a shocking incident, A woman allegedly chopped off the genitals of his brother-in-law with whom she allegedly had an illicit relationship in Lower Assam’s Bajali district.

As per reports, the incident took place on September 23 when the woman attacked her brother-in-law after the latter refused her marriage proposal.

The injured man was rushed to the hospital and is currently undergoing treatment in Guwahati.
The victim, identified as 30-year-old Saiful Islam.

According to locals, Islam was involved in a secret affair with his sister-in law.

The two were in a love affair for the last seven years, reportedly taking advantage of times when her husband was away. 

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In a violent turn of events, she allegedly attacked him and severed his genitals. Police quickly intervened, arresting the woman and initiating an investigation into the incident. They also recovered the weapon used in the attack from the scene.

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Featured

Assam’s Mobile Theatre journey since 1960s

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The mobile theatre of Assam, also known as Bhramyaman Theatre, is a unique and vibrant form of theatre that originated in the state of Assam, India where Achyut Lakhar gave birth to Mobile theatre in Pathsala town in the 1960s. Every year the theatre groups travel from place to place with their cast, crew, musicians, dancers and everything required to set the stage, to perform in villages, towns, and cities across Assam.

During the theatre season Pathsala town turned festivity where thousands of people gathered in one place to see plays of ‘Awahan Theatre’, ‘Kohinoor Theatre’, ‘Rajmukut Theatre’, ‘Rajlakhsmi Theatre’. It’s like a festival for the people. The plays often focus on social issues, family drama, mythology, and folklore, as well as contemporary topics like politics and corruption which the audience loves it.

The Theatre group continues to attract audiences on live stage without the use of special effects like green or blue screens, or 3D or 5D technology. During the show many actors injured by accident on live stage.

Earlier, plays like ‘Titanic’ attracted audience without a single drop of water on stage, and ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Mary Kom’, ‘Mahabharat’ and ‘Ramayana’ also attracted audience.

The groups give employment scope to more than 5000 people. There are more than 30 mobile theatres in Assam, where more than 100 to 150 people work in every group.

Tapan Lahkar, producer of Kohinoor Theatre, reflected on the theatre’s legacy, saying, “Kohinoor Theatre has proudly completed 49 years. Every artist in our group puts in immense effort. In the past, we managed to make our play ‘Titanic’ a success without a single drop of water or any special effects—it was a significant challenge for my father. Similarly, our productions of ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘Mahabharat,’ and ‘Ramayan’ captivated audiences long before they were ever seen on television.”

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Prastuti Parashar, producer of Awahan Theatre, emphasized the cultural importance of mobile theatre, stating, “Mobile theatre has played a crucial role in promoting Assamese culture, language, and identity while providing both entertainment and social commentary to audiences across the state. Awahan Theatre is like family to me, and we are committed to giving our best to entertain our audience. We tackle stories about family and political issues, always with a focus on Assamese culture. We also need the continued support of the people.”

Dhruba Talukdar, producer of Rajlakshmi Theatre, shared his passion for the art, saying, “I hail from Pathsala town, the birthplace of mobile theatre, founded by Achyut Lahkar. Inspired by the plays I watched as a child, I always dreamed of opening my own theatre. I aim to spread positive messages through our productions, addressing issues like global warming, social concerns, politics, and corruption. I take risks to fulfill my dreams, and I don’t believe that OTT platforms can ever replace the unique experience of mobile theatre.”

Manas Kalita, producer of Rajmukut Theatre, highlighted the challenges faced by performers, noting, “Performing on a live stage is not easy. Many actors have been injured during shows, yet they continue to perform with dedication. Every actor and staff member works incredibly hard in mobile theatre.”

Finally, Giridhor Choudhury, a senior citizen from Bajali, expressed his deep connection to the tradition, saying, “Assam’s mobile theatre groups are an integral part of our culture and should live on forever. It’s an emotion for the Assamese people. Since 1963, mobile theatre has provided employment opportunities to many in Assam. Today, there are more than 30 mobile theatres in the state, each employing 100 to 150 people. In total, 4,000 to 5,000 individuals are engaged in this vibrant tradition.”

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Assam

Ranjeet Kumar Dass distributs forms of MMNMA scheme at Bhattadev University and NH collage

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After Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched ‘Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina’ scheme in Assam to prevent child marriage, Assam’s cabinet Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass distributed forms of the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Asoni scheme at Bhattadev University in Pathsala and NH college in Patacharkuchi.

The scheme to provide monetary benefits to girl students every month in order to put an end to child marriages. This scheme will be awarded to around 10 lakh girls.This scheme is a monthly financial assistance scheme to fight against child marriage. Girls who are studying in HS, graduation and post-graduation level will get this government’s financial support.

During the programme Ranjeet Kumar Dass said, “Heartfelt thanks Assam CM for the CM’s Nijut Moina Scheme, a game-changer for Assam’s meritorious students.”

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“There are many families in my constituency that can pay their daughter only Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 a month for the expenses of studying in the university. But now at least such economically backward meritorious students do not have to leave their studies.

“Today we distributed forms in Bhattadev University in Pathsala and NH college in Patacharkuchi in presence of Bajali district administration, students and staffs.

Meanwhile, the students of the university expressed happiness after the scheme launched by the Assam government.

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