Gandharba, the acting and music institution based in Boripara, Maligaon, is set to celebrate its twentieth anniversary with a two-day drama festival on 5 and 6 December, featuring a special tribute to music legend Dr Bhupen Hazarika. The festival, now in its third edition, will be held at the Karmashree Hiteswar Saikia Auditorium.
The opening evening will feature the production titled Moi Aru Mur Saa, dedicated to Dr Hazarika. The play has been conceptualised by Dhrubajyoti Kumar, written by Binod Sharma and directed by Akhilesh Hazari. The show is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm. Institution president Gautam Kumar and secretary Dhrubajyoti Kumar shared that the festival will host three stage productions across the two evenings, celebrating the institution’s artistic journey.
The second day of the event will pay tribute to the late artist Zubeen Garg. The evening will begin at 6:00 pm with Choku, written and directed by Diganta Kakati for Srishti Kala-Krishti Kendra. The programme will continue at 7:00 pm with A Beautiful Melody, a Natatirtha production written by Montu Kumar Das and directed by Ronald Hussain.
Hrishikesh Goswami, secretary of the Children’s Literature Trust in Assam, will inaugurate the opening night, while Makbul Haque will preside over the second evening’s ceremony.
The celebration will continue beyond the theatre showcase with competitions on 6 and 7 December. On the first day, the Jivan Silpi Guruji Adya Sarma Memorial Drawing Competition will be held at 3:00 pm for students from classes one to six. The final day will host the 15th All Assam Bhupendra Sangeet Competition from 10:00 am, divided into two participant age groups: under 15 and 15-and-above. Participants are required to carry age verification documents and follow the prescribed dress code. Organisers will provide accompanying musicians, and judging decisions will be considered final.
The anniversary programme will conclude with an awards ceremony on 7 December at 7:00 pm, where winners will receive trophies, certificates and cash prizes. The evening will close with a cultural presentation dedicated to Gandharba’s continuing contribution to Assam’s performing arts landscape.
