TEZPUR, Sept 14 - �Brajanath Sharma, also known as the Natyacharjya, was one of the freedom fighters of the 1921 Non-Cooperation Movement. He played a vital role in destruction of the British airport at Sarbhog . He was put behind the bars for a long time for his stand against the British.� This was observed by president of Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, Hemanta Kumar Baruah after paying rich tributes to the Natyacharjya on his 57th death anniversary held here recently at the Sahitya Sabha Bhawan.
Baruah, in his speech, also said that Brajanath Sharma joined the British Army and fought battles overseas in the First World War. During the period, he met an Englishman named George and became interested in acting. While being posted in Basorah, he was an active member of the West Bengal Dramatic Club and played roles in various Bengali plays from 1917 to 1921.
�In 1921, he returned home and formed a drama group in his village naming it �Silpa Kalika Opera Party,� which was dismantled in 1924. Thereafter, he formed a new group called �Ganakbari Opera Party�. However, five years later in 1930, he formed his historic Kohinoor Opera party,� said Hemanta Baruah adding he was the pioneer of co-acting in the Assamese theatre that toured various places of Assam. The same movement later translated into the famous mobile theatre movement. �His plays, Monumoti, Urvashi, Patita, Barjita, Biplobi etc., could showcase the real condition of the Assamese people,� he maintained.
Conducted by secretary of Tezpur Sahitya Sabha Pankaj Baruah, the function was graced by noted playwright Asarya Kakoti, Nalini Baruah, artistes Krishna Das Nath, Arun Nath, adviser, Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, Mrinali Chetia, vice president, Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, Benudhar Kakoti, ex-president of Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, among others. The dignitaries present in the programme paid tributes to the Natyacharjya.
