Guwahati: In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Boripara-based Gandharba acting and music institute will host the second annual Gandharba Drama Festival from December 6 to 8, 2024, at the Karmashree Hiteswar Saikia Auditorium in Maligaon, Guwahati.
This highly anticipated event, as confirmed by Gautam Kumar, President, and Dhrubajyoti Kumar, Secretary of Gandharba, will bring together a host of performances, including drama, music, and dance, in honor of Assamese cultural legends.
The festival will dedicate each night to the memory of prominent Assamese personalities who have contributed significantly to the state’s cultural heritage. On the first evening, in memory of renowned artist Sudakshina Sharma, the festival will kick off with Dristanto, a thought-provoking play presented by Gandharba, written by Himjyoti Baishya and directed by Dhrubajyoti Kumar. This will be followed by Priyabandhu, a play by renowned playwright Naren Patgiri, directed by Patgiri himself, and presented by the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA).
A special highlight on the first evening will be the launch of Natya Prabaah, a book by prominent cultural journalist and writer Atul Majumder, published by Gandharba for the first time.
The second day of the festival, dedicated to the memory of beloved actor Jayanta Das, will feature a Sattriya dance performance by Bismillah Khan Award winner Dimpee Baishya. This will be followed by the presentation of Halodhiya Manuh, a performance directed by Manmath Baruah, based on Abhijit Ranjan Bhattacharya’s work, presented by Natasurya, Guwahati.
In conjunction with the anniversary celebrations, Gandharba will also host the Jiban Silpi Adya Sarma Memorial Painting Competition for students from classes 1 to 6 on December 7, 2024. On December 8, the 14th annual Bhupendra Sangeet Competition will take place, featuring singers from across Assam in two categories: Section A for participants under 15 years of age and Section B for those over 15 years old. Participants must submit age certificates, and music accompanists will be provided by the event organizers.
The event will conclude on December 8 with a cultural program and a grand prize distribution ceremony, where winners of the competitions will be awarded cash prizes and certificates. This grand celebration will mark another milestone in Gandharba’s enduring contribution to Assam’s cultural landscape.
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