SIVASAGAR, Jan 1 - The silver jubilee programme of Natyapeeth began at Sivasagar Amolapatty Hindu Dharma Naamghar Auditorium today. The group began its journey in 1996 on January 1, the date on which renowned theatre personality of Indian theatre Safdar Hashmi was brutally murdered.
The commemorative 25 flags were hoisted by Dr Neelakhi Borgohain (president), Sanjeev Bharali, Sadikur Rahman, Dr Dilip Kr Barua, Dr Ranjan Phukan, Benu Gogoi, Dr Prakash Kotoky, Dr Sukalyan Das, Juga Gogoi, Manik Ahmed, Dr Bipul Gogoi, Mukul Gogoi, SureArabinda Sarma, Govin Borthakur, Ruma Khound, Dr Ratneswar Deori, Kukil Bongonya, Renu Dutta, Anurag Saikia, Sabitri Sarma and Manoj Kr Borthakur.
While Smrititarpan was performed by Lakhikanta Mahanta, Satradhikar of Ujonial Satra, Diganta Barua inaugurated the photo exhibition and Dayal Krishna Nath paid homage to the five victims of police firing recently in Assam.
Addressing the meeting held on the occasion as the keynote speaker, noted playwright Harendranath Borthakur said that to understand the strength and resilience of Assamese drama, one must read the Ankia Bhaona of Sankaradeva.
Sankaradeva turned every village in Assam into a theatre, turning the rural illiterate peasants into drum players (dhulia, khulia), artists, painters, mask-makers, writers, singers, dancers and choreographers, management specialists of bhaona groups.
He expressed the hope that theatre or drama would revive the Assamese society.
Dr MS Laksmipriya, DC, Sivasagar, released the Natyapeeth website and addressed the gathering. She said that the Greeks introduced modern theatre and revolutionized the contemporary society with new ideas. She suggested holding a national drama festival on World Theatre Day on March 27, 2020. She sang a wonderful song in Telugu to enthral the audience.
The meeting was presided over by Dr Neelakhi Borgohain and was attended among others by Lohit Deka, Station Director, AIR, Dibrugarh. Dr Borgohain appreciated the enthusiasm of Natyapeeth towards creation of awareness on theatre among people.
Dr Nirupoma Mahanta spoke on the Assamese Satriya tradition of drama. Dr Saumerjyoti Mahanta said that Natyapeeth began practical teachings on theatrical arts 25 years back, what is being introduced in the New Education Policy now. Dr Sukalyan Das re-created a dramatic sequence on the stage.
Monica Saikia, adviser, Natyapeeth said that drama influenced her personal life immensely and made her socially more responsible. Dr Anil Saikia delivered a speech on the background music used in drama. Prasanta Sarma, executive president, jubilee celebration committee, spoke on the year-long programme of the jubilee.
Dr Dilip Das, secretary, jubilee celebration committee, Natyapeeth compered the programme.
