Mobile Theatre is a form of popular theatre exclusive to Assam. Unlike Street plays, Mobile Theatre groups travel from place to place with their cast, singers, musicians, directors, action artists, make-up artists, workers, producers, dancers and crew, often carrying tents and seating with them.These theatre troops travel across the state, performing their plays and what makes them unique is that they carry all the necessary equipment with them. ranging from musical instruments to props. Mobile theatre is one of the most widespread forms of entertainment in Assam.
In the vibrant landscape of Assam's culture evolution, the inception of mobile theatre can be traced back to the illustrious Kohinoor Opera. founded by Natyacharya Brajanath Sarma, in 1930. Kohinoor Opera performed dramas, attracting thousands of spectators, from Dhubri to Sadiya and etched the allure of mobile theatre into the heart of assam.
In the vibrant landscape of Assam's culture evolution,the inception of mobile theatre can be, traced back to the illustrious Kohinoor Opera. founded by Natyacharya Brajanath Sarma, in 1930. Kohinoor Opera performed dramas, attracting thousands of spectators, from Dhubri to Sadiya and etched the allure of mobile theatre into the heart of assam.
A pivotal moment arrived in 2 October 1963, when Achyut Lahkar, fondly hailed as the father of Mobile Theatre, introduced the very first mobile theatre play in Pathsala. At the helm of the Pathsala-based Nataraj Cine Theatre, Lahkar printed his name in the annals of theatrical innovation. His creations, including Bhogjora, Tikendrajit, Black Money, and Beula, Lahkar took Mobile Theatres to Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. They collaborated with artists from multiple states. An industry with an annual turnover of around 100 million, the Mobile Theatre of Assam provides a source of entertainment that has progressively upgraded its stature.
The term mobile theatre was not used previously. It is known that renowned Assamese social worker Radha Govinda Barua first used this term in the remark book of Suradevi theatre to refer to this particular type of theatre after seeing the performance in Latasil field in Guwahati. It was in 1969. Since then it has been named Mobile Theatre. Since 1963 almost two hundred mobile theatre groups have been entertaining the Assamese audience. It is noteworthy that there is no other theatre party in the world like Assamese Mobile Theatre. It has given Assamese culture a unique.
The Mobile Theatre of Assam has things in common with traditional act plays from all over India, however Mobile Theatre is more advanced technically and evolved from mythological stories, to contemporary themes. The self-contained nature of Mobile Theatre allows performances in small villages without their own performance spaces, which was particularly important in villages without electricity for television.There are over 60 mobile theatre groups in Assam, most of them based in Pathsala.In mid-September, after two months of rehearsals, the groups begin their seven-month tour in Assam.
While talking about the uniqueness of Assam, Dr Bhupen Hazarika once said that mobile theatre is the identity of the state of Assam. But, in recent years, the industry is found to be suffering from so many issues that its survival is also under question. In such a situation, the concerned intellectuals of Assam should go for constructive feedback and recommendation so that the industry can be brought back to the real track. In this process, the government should play an active role and should support to empower the industry both financially and culturally.
Author
Chandasmita Kashyap
1st semester,
Department of communication and Journalism, Gauhati University,
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