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Assam’s mobile theatre continues to entertain the audience on live stage without special effects since 1960
Sasanka Talukdar
sasanka140@gmail.com
The mobile theatre of Assam popularly known as ‘Bhramyaman’. The theatre group performed in villages, towns and cities across the state after Ashyut Lahkar gave birth to the mobile theatre at Pathsala in 1960.
Without green or blue screen or 3D or 5D technology, the mobile theatre groups continue to attract audiences on live stage through their acting and technology. The theatre group highlights Assamese culture and social issues in an entertaining way, which is what the audience loves about it.
These days Pathsala town which is also known as ‘Natya Nagari’ become fastivity look due to the mobile theatres which were started last week in different places of Bajali. The audience claps to the Abahan Theatre for their family drama based on the Assamese society.
Speaking to the Times of Northeast,
Prostuti Parashar lead actor of Abahan Theatre said, “I came to this field in 2005 and since then I have enjoyed this life of performing live experience on stage. It’s our responsibility to spread a positive message to society through a play and the audience love it due to the family drama.”
This year in ‘Andhangani’ play, we spread a message – how drug addiction ruined our society which became a serious problem among the new generation. And how some people start disrespecting their parents when they get old.” she added.
She also said, “The play ‘Mur Tez Mur Morom’, is a story about a brother and sister from a different mother. The audience love such stories based on the Assamese culture.”
“I want to tell the new generation who want to come to this field- it is risky to perform on live stage, you have to stay alert while you are performing on stage. If you believe in yourself and work hard, then nothing is impossible.”
Giridhor Chowdhury, social worker of Bajali, “In Assam there are around 60 mobile theatre groups. Every theatre group gave an employeement scope of 100 to 150 people. These include artists, pandal builders, makeup artists, photographers and technicians etc.”
He also said, “Without 3D technology or green screen, Mobile theatre of Assam proved, nothing is impossible for them and proved in past through their play like Titanic, Jurassic park which was presented by the Kohinoor Theatre and Mary Kom by Abahan Theatre.”
“People across the world should come to Assam to see the live experience of Mobile Theatre.” He added.
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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.
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.
Featured
Assam’s Mobile Theatre journey since 1960s
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.”
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.”
Assam
Ranjeet Kumar Dass distributs forms of MMNMA scheme at Bhattadev University and NH collage
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.”
“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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