"Ram Bijoy – Ankia Naat" Showcases Assam’s Cultural Legacy in Delhi

New Delhi, May 26, 2014 – "Ram Bijoy – Ankia Naat" captivated art and culture enthusiasts of Delhi NCR with a mesmerizing performance at Mavalankar Hall on May 24. Organized by the Assam Tourism Development Corporation, Government of Assam, in collaboration with Raginee, a socio-cultural organization from Guwahati, the event aimed to showcase Assam’s rich and glorious cultural legacy.

Directed and designed by Madhurima Choudhury, "Ram Bijoy" belongs to the traditional Ankia Naat Bhaona style, a dramatic art form conceived by Srimanta Sankardeva (1449–1568) in the 15th century. Combining spiritual music, dance, and dramaturgy, this unique form of storytelling holds deep roots in Assam’s Vaishnavite traditions.

The evening saw the presence of distinguished guests, including Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his wife Subhalakshmi, actor Adil Hussain, and Dr. Hemoprova Saikia, among others.

Performed entirely by a group of accomplished Assamese actresses—including Moloya Goswami, Nishita Goswami, Madhurima Choudhury, Rasarani Chetana Das, and Barsha Rani Bishaya—the play was staged in Brajavali, a unique blend of Assamese, Hindi, Oriya, and Maithili. Traditionally, Ankia Naat was performed exclusively by men, with even female roles portrayed by male actors until 1949. The inclusion of women in this deeply religious performance stands as a testament to the evolving cultural landscape of Assam and the empowerment of women in the arts.

"I wanted to change the narrative. We are in the era of women's revolution, and this female-led performance is a step toward empowerment," said Madhurima Choudhury, who also played the role of Lord Ram.

Reflecting on her artistic journey, Choudhury added, "After my marriage, I had the opportunity to explore the music of Sankardeva. His contributions deserve recognition across the country."

V. S. Bhaskar, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam, Department of Tourism & Transport, emphasized the significance of cultural tourism: "Introducing a region’s culture is a key aspect of tourism. As part of our initiative to promote cultural tourism, the Government of Assam is working to showcase our state’s rich heritage both within India and internationally. Assam’s cultural traditions offer immense potential for tourism development."

Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva, a saint, social reformer, and playwright, was the pioneer of Ankia Naat, a unique form of one-act play designed to propagate the Neo-Vaishnava movement in Assam. Inspired by ancient Sanskrit drama and traditional Indian theatrical arts, Sankardeva introduced his own creative innovations, shaping one of India’s most distinctive performing arts traditions. His Cihna Yatra is widely regarded as one of the world’s earliest open-air theatrical performances.

PHOTOS

****

Share: