Theatre festival organized to promote culture of Assam

GUWAHATI - A three-day theatre festival was recently held here to promote Assamese art and culture.

Organised jointly by the Sankerdev Kalakshetra with the Assam, the festival ‘Bhawana Mahotsav’, comprises religious dramas, which were first promoted by the Saint Shankardev.

“The Bhawana traditional theatre of Assam was prevailing in Assam since the 15th century. The great Vaishnav saint, Shankerdev, started this art form in the 15th century where he shows the different aspects of Vaikunth (paradise),” said Sabin Rakkhowa, Director of the Sankerdev Kalakshetra.

Characters like Hindu god Lord Krishna, are enacted in the plays by artists wearing colourful costumes who perform to traditional music.

Meanwhile, efforts are also being made to promote Assam’s traditional culture in other parts of India.

“I have been to various parts of India, to Dwarka in Gujarat, and have also been to Kerala, Bangalore, Puri, Chennai, and in various parts of northeast and performed our art,” said Gunendra Nath Ojha, one of the performers.

Bhawana culture is particularly popular amongst the Vaishnavites, who are followers of Lord Vishnu. (ANI)