Mobile theatre of Assam may be considered as
an upgraded version of a refined dramatic experience and is technically upgraded and commercially
advanced.
Being a regular visitor of mobile theatres I have
realized that, it is a great entertainment media especially for rural people. Coming
from a rural set up, I feel the
importance of this means of communication and realize that the presence of regional
language creates an immediate impact on the poeple. Mobile theatres have
occupied the socio-cultural life of Assam today. A theatre is a place where one
can receive both education and entertainment at the same time. Moreover, this
is a platform where people, without formal education can get any social
message, political knowledge and awareness on the administration process.
Mobile theatre is a tool of social transformation. Even today, this means of
communication has a widespread influence upon the way people think and act.
Assam is a land where different types of ethnicities, tribes and castes are
merged to form the great Assamese society. My personal belief is that, mobile
theatre is can be a potential tool for promoting value based ideas and
establish the sense of unity and integrity among the common people.
The Vaisnavite renaissance advocated by
Sankardeva and Madhavdeva brought a rapid change in the socio-cultural life of
Assamese people. Sankardev’s innovative ‘bhaona’
has been the most pleasant and satisfying community task of the Assamese
society for ages. The performance of a bhaona
in itself is an inspiration to the community as a whole. This has brought a new
theatrical movement called Yatra, especially in the districts of lower region
of Assam.
The mobile troops consists
of nearly one hundred fifty people belonging to different parts of the state.
It is really interesting to notice that all the people of mobile troops during
their long voyage never think of individual interest. Rather, they think as a
community.
In villages mobile theatres are usually set up during the
month of December when all people becomes free of their agricultural activities
or during occasions like Raas festival,
Durga puja, village fairs, etc The mobile theatre not only has visual
entertainment but also directs the youth towards imbibing dramatic skills
creating room for employment.
Quite interestingly, the play does not end
after the fall of the curtains or after the departure of actors from the stage
but rather it opens their minds stimulating various ideas and thoughts in this
process
Himakshi Borah
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