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Guwahati : Almost 500 years after Saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva's creation 'Bhaona' – with the literary language of Brajavali, has now reached on the global stage.
Assam's mythological folk theatre 'Bhaona' is now entered into the global stage with an English avatar.
A creation of 16th century by Saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva had created the 'Bhaona' – in the form to convey religious messages to villagers through entertainment, primarily staged at 'Namghar' (places of worship) and 'Xatras' (Vaishnavite monasteries).
Some special features of 'Bhaona' include plays, dialogues, costumes, ornaments, entry and foot-steps of the characters and Assam's river island district Majuli is known for Vaishnavite culture and Bhaona.
50-year-old Arup Saikia – a resident of Jamugurihat in Assam's Sonitpur district and his two sisters Girimallika Saikia and Gitimallika Baidya have created a unique form of 'Bhaona' in English language by aiming to attract the global audience.
Recently, a team led by Arup Saikia had performed 'Bhaona' in Dubai in English language and highlighted the rich treasure of Assamese culture and identity without any deviation from original roots.
It is first time that, Assam's Bhaona performed in English language in global stage.
"Bhaona is unique cultural tradition created by Saint Sankardeva about 500 years ago. But day by day, the popularity of Bhaona is diminishing. We are trying to preserve this unique culture of Assam by performing in English language other than Brajavali – the original language of Sankardeva. We are attempting to keep the theme of Bhaona intact by using the songs, tune, raag and taal of Bhaona. Especially expressions of actors during the entry and exit, we are trying to preserve the original form of Bhaona in Brajavali," Arup Saikia said.
Gitimallika Baidya, who takes care of the coordination of Bhaona along with her elder sister Girimallika said that, the new English avatar of Bhaona will help the new generation of Assam living in abroad to compare, judge Bhaona with opera.
Earlier, the team had performed the new form of Bhaona in Delhi and Mumbai.
(By Hemanta Kumar Nath, Guwahati)
