MORIGAON, Nov 15 � Committee Bhaona, a historic mega traditional theatrical performance, held once in every three years, synchronising with the Sri Krishna Raas festival at Charaibahi cultural complex in Morigaon district has completed 155 years of its existence.
According to the organisers of Committee Bhaona, this mega cultural event has been held at Charaibahi, after every three years, right from 1857� the year of the historic Sepoy Mutiny which is also known as the first independence movement of the country.
The elders of the Charaibahi area said that when Queen Victoria of Great Britain came to India at the end of the Sepoy Mutiny and declared some welfare measures for Indians, many people throughout the country organised many functions with pomp and gaiety. In Morigaon district, the local people at Charaibahi arranged a mega festival named Committee Bhaona as a mark of respect of the august presence of Her Majesty Queen Victoria in India.Thousands of people irrespective of caste, community, or religions took part in this festival. Right from that year, the Committee Bhaona was organised at the interval of every three years during the time of Sri Krishna Raas festival at Charaibahi.
The local people celebrate the festival by performing ankia bhaona (one-act play) of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev at a stretch from five to six days.
The unique feature of the Committee Bhaona is that altogether twenty six teams of different villages stage plays at a time and at the same place in complete harmony.
The Committee Bhaona always speaks of the unity and integrity of different sections of the people as different ethnic groups including the tribals take part in this mega event at Charaibahi. This year Committee Bhaona is being celebrated from November 15 to 20.
