GUWAHATI: Assamese mobile theatre group, Awahan Theatre is set to reach out to crowds outside the state for the first time, come April.
The theatre group has been invited to Bengaluru by the Assamese diaspora to stage plays in the Garden City from April 26 to 28.
“This is for the first time that we are going to perform outside Assam. We plan to stage three plays, Sanyasini, Madhuri Mor Naam and Mokorajaal, spread over three days in Bengaluru. If there is a demand for another popular play, Moi Maar Sowali, which has attracted full houses in Assam this season, we may stage the play in lieu of any one of the three plays,” Krishna Roy, producer and the proprietor of Awahan Theatre, told The Shillong Times on Sunday.
Mobile theatre, locally called bhramyamaan theatre, is still very popular in Assam even as Assamese cinema has found it hard and adequate takers. Over the years, a few groups have exhibited plays outside the Northeast to attract crowds to the medium.
“Our current season in Assam ends on April 3. The transportation of equipment will start from April 14 and after a week things should be in place for the artistes to carry out rehearsals. This is indeed a good initiative by the Assamese diaspora in Bengaluru as it will popularise the theatre outside the region as well,” Roy said.
The National School of Drama has in the past invited mobile theatre groups like Kahinoor to stage plays outside the region. However, for the diaspora in Bengaluru it will be a rare occasion to soak into, only a few days after Rongali Bihu.
Organisations such as Assam Association Bangalore, Assamese Society of Bangalore, East Bangalore Bihu Society among others have taken the lead in the initiative.
The plays will be staged at a ground near Sarjapur in the Karnataka capital.
“We are taking care of promotion, transportation of equipment, travel (crew/artistes/officials), food and lodging arrangements. This maiden initiative from the diaspora opens doors for sharing of views so that mobile theatre groups have a better understanding on ground what is needed to popularise the medium outside the region, Bedabrata Sharma, member of East Bangalore Bihu Society, told The Shillong Times from Bengaluru on Sunday.
