Mobile theatres in Assam facing uncertain future due to COVID-19 pandemic

A CORRESPONDENT

PATHSALA: The mobile theatres in Assam have been severely hit in the prevailing situation following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Uncertainty looms large over the normal functioning of various sectors, including this most-efficient mass media format.

Last year the long duration of lockdown had adversely affected normal life with the daily wage earners being the worst sufferers. But this year also the condition has not changed much. Losing a day's performance costs a financial loss of around Rs 1 lakh for a theatre group. Each of the more than 60 such theatre groups across the State give employment to 100 to 150 people per group. These include artistes, builders of pandals (temporary structure for performance) and electricians as well as other technicians who look after the light and sound arrangements.

In the first week of August every year, these theatre groups set out on a nine-month journey, reaching out to people in every nook and corner of the State.

Kiran Lahkar, wife of Achyut Lahkar (who was the Father of Mobile Theatre), told this correspondent, "The workers of mobile theatre are facing a tough time. The industry as a whole is incurring massive losses due to COVID-19. However, this potent means of mass media and entertainment must be saved at this critical juncture. The government should look into the matter."

Veteran theatre personality octogenarian Krishna Roy, who has around 60 years of experience in this field besides running independently the popular Abahan Theatre for about 42 years, expressed unhappiness over the situation. He expressed hope that the problem would be solved in the coming days. He said, "Earlier we used to pay a minimum amount of Rs 9,000 to the workers. But since last year they have faced financial crisis. The role of the State Government must be of prime importance. In the present situation, people should strictly follow the COVID -19 protocol laid down by the government to cope up with the situation."

Noted theatre personality and producer of Kohinoor Theatre, Tapan Lahkar has also expressed concern over the situation. He said, 'COVID-19 has ruined the mobile theatre industry in 2020-2021. Losing a day's performance costs a financial loss of around Rs 1 lakh for a theatre group. More than 150 people are involved in a theatre group. They have suffered a lot of financial problems."

The mobile theatre groups of Assam are popularly known as Bhraymaman Natyadals in Assamese. The troupes comprise actors, singers, dancers, directors, action artists, makeup artists, workers, and the producer. These mobile theatre groups perform in villages, towns and cities within the State. The theatre groups offer a popular medium of entertainment and are an integral part of the Assamese culture. Achyut Lahkar was the father of the Bhryamyman or mobile theatre and he gave birth to mobile theatre in Assam in the 1960s. He founded the popular Natraj Theatre at Pathsala in 1963 which performed across Assam and in other States for nearly 40 years.

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