The Gandharba Drama Festival, the Jiban Silpi Adya Sarma Memorial Painting Competition, and the Fifteenth Annual All Assam Bhupendra Sangeet Competition were held successfully from December 5 to December 7 at the Karmashree Hiteswar Saikia Auditorium, Maligaon, Boripara. The programmes were organised by the Gandharba acting and music institution to celebrate its 21st anniversary.
The third annual Gandharba Theatre Festival began on December 5 with theatre critic Atul Majumdar inaugurating the stage. To mark the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Gandharba staged the play ‘Moi Aru Mur Saa’ (Me and My Shadow). Dhrubajyoti Kumar conceptualised the play, Binod Sharma wrote it, and Akhilesh Hazari directed it, drawing inspiration from the life and legacy of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.
Drama critic Atul Majumdar praised the production and called it an important contribution to Assamese theatre. He stressed the need to stage the play across Assam and outside the state. The performance received a strong response from the audience. After the show, representatives of the Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust appreciated Gandharba’s effort. Trust Secretary Manjula Hazarika, singer Manisha Hazarika, and folk culture expert Liladhar Hazarika congratulated the team for presenting the complex life story of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika with artistic depth and social commitment.
The second day of the festival, December 6, was dedicated to the memory of Zubeen Garg. Veteran theatre personality Makbul Haque lit the ceremonial lamp in front of the portrait of the beloved artist and inaugurated the evening. The night featured two plays—‘Choku’ by Srishti Kala-Krishti Kendra, Guwahati, and ‘A Beautiful Melody’ by Natatirtha, Guwahati.
Earlier in the afternoon, Gandharba organised the Jiban Silpi Adya Sarma Memorial Painting Competition. Karismita Kalita won first place and received the Purnakanta Das Memorial Award. Aradhya Dutta secured second place with the Kamalakanta Das Memorial Award, while Kristina Baishya won third place and received the Bimal Chandra Hazarika Memorial Award.
On December 7, Gandharba organised the Fifteenth Annual All Assam Bhupendra Sangeet Competition. Renowned musician Kamal Kataki hoisted the Gandharba flag in the morning, officially opening the event. Noted singer Anju Devi inaugurated the competition stage. Around 80 participants from different parts of Assam took part in the competition.
In the ‘A’ category, Munmi Devi of Guwahati won first place and received the Geeta Thakuria Memorial Award. Kankan Mili of Guwahati stood second and received the Jugamaya Baishya Memorial Award, while Kristikanya Saikia of Nagaon (Chakalaghat) secured third place and won the Jujiram Kumar and Nirmala Kumar Memorial Award.
In the ‘B’ category, Bhargavi Goswami of Guwahati won first place and received the Harendranath Kumar and Kusum Kumar Memorial Award. Nirmali Das of Guwahati secured second place with the Aikon Deka Memorial Award, while Jennifer Ahmed of Nalbari finished third and received the Ananda Bhuyan and Bonphul Bhuyan Memorial Award.
All winners received books written by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, donated by Akhilesh Hazari. Musicians Kamal Kataki and Anju Devi served as judges for the Bhupendra Sangeet Competition.
The Gandharba family concluded the three-day celebration by thanking all participating artistes, judges, and audiences. The organisers expressed gratitude for the support that made the drama festival, painting competition, and music competition a memorable cultural event.
