Shukracharya Rabha’s vision lives on as theatre fest in Nagaon celebrates art and conservation amid nature

Guwahati: For the late maestro Shukracharya Rabha, threatre was more than just an art form. His vision took shape in 1998 with the launch of Under the Sal Tree — a renowned theatre festival in lower Assam's Goalpara district — where performances unfolded amid dense forests.
Inspired by this concept, theatre enthusiast Dip Kumar Bora carried this bold idea approximately 270 kilometres away to central Assam's Nagaon, giving birth to the Rodghai Bebejia Natural Theatre Festival, which concluded on Sunday.
Reflecting on the initiative that began six years ago, Bora said its concept is similar to the open theatre. However, it goes beyond art by focusing on environmental conservation, especially saving trees and protecting nature. He added that Bebejia village offers a similar space, making it a suitable place to raise awareness and promote sustainability.
Emphasising the need for a stronger theatre culture in the state, he added that in today's fast-paced, media-driven world, efforts to revive traditional theatre have become more essential than ever. "Theatre serves as a powerful medium of expression, enabling artists to convey emotions, narratives and societal reflections of a culture through performances. It is crucial for the younger generation to experience it first-hand as it helps them connect with and learn about their heritage," he said.
The two-day festival is an annual tradition which takes place in the forest area of the village. Embracing simplicity and harmony with nature, they create a very simple set up. The stage is crafted from soil, with its boundaries formed using hay grass. Even the set up is very raw as the organisers refrain from using any light or any electronic equipment, ensuring that the performance rely solely on the talent and skills of the artists.
This year, 15 plays, including ‘Bhagwan Hoihe' (Chandraprabh Theatre, Nagaon), ‘Bhabindruk' (Jagrity Theatre, Guwahati), ‘Wari Wari Tai In Telejung' (Bishwakarma, Chanupriya), were staged at the event.