Whenever we come across the word ‘Theatre’ in this modern era, we always imagine it to be an audience- filled auditorium with lights, camera, sound and music. But in the last week I have witnessed a unique theatre which was nothing of the sort that we normally get to watch. The Badungduppa Kalakendra in Rampur, an interior village of the district of Goalpara, Assam, in search of new methods and means of theatre, took a new challenge of taking the performance into nature itself.
This year it was the 12th edition of Under the Sal Tree Theatre Festival and it was held from 15th to 17th December. The man behind this one-of-a-kind concept was Rampur resident and theatre practitioner Sukracharjya Rabha. Since 1998, he has been teaching drama to a number of village youth under the banner of Badungduppa Kalakendra, set up on his family’s paddy field. After his demise in 2018, his wife has been trying individually to continue this showcase in nature and they have re-opened this year , supported by the District Administration of Goalpara. They have invited all kinds of artists, critics, experts, etc to Badungduppa Kalakendra to work and live there. The pristine rural ambience along with the proximity of each other, gave a unique experience of learning and exhibiting one’s talent, exchanging visions on social issues, cultural heritage, etc.
They have made an empty patch within a Sal forest as the stage. Performances were done during the daytime as there was no provision for artificial light or sound system. Vocals and music are performed live on stage using accoustic instruments. Bamboo benches are made for audience to sit on. This year there were five, starting with a Rabha play – Bodaraja, a Bengali play – Rokto Upakhyan, an Assamese play – Tetun Tamuli, a Tamil play- Idakini Kathayaaratham and a Manipuri play – Tamna Lai
Unlike the other festivals in India, Under the Sal Tree is not a place for just showcasing or selling one’s talent. It is a place of learning and exchange for development. Every evening they have a thorough discussion on the day’s work by the assembled experts and artists which provides an opportunity for learning through feedbacks, discussions, lectures and workshops.
