Assam’s First All-Women Vyas Ojapali Troupe Redefines Folk Heritage
Veteran folk artiste Barun Dev Sarma challenged long-standing social barriers by mentoring Assam's first all-women Vyas Ojapali troupe, marking a significant step towards gender inclusion in one of the state's oldest performing art traditions.
Sipajhar (Assam) ( By Prantik Deka ) In a landmark development for Assam’s cultural heritage, veteran Vyas Ojapali artiste Barun Dev Sarma has played a pioneering role in establishing the state’s first all-women Vyas Ojapali troupe, breaking decades of social conventions associated with one of Assam’s oldest folk performance traditions.
Vyas Ojapali, also known as Vyah-Gowa Ojapali, is a traditional folk art form primarily practised in Assam’s Darrang district. Combining music, storytelling, dramatic narration and devotional performances, it has historically served as a medium for communicating religious epics such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavata to the masses while preserving Assamese cultural identity.
Barun Dev Sarma, a lifelong practitioner of the tradition from No. 2 Ghorasal village under Sipajhar in Darrang district, belongs to a family that has preserved Vyas Ojapali across multiple generations. According to available accounts, his grandfather, father and Sarma himself have dedicated their lives to safeguarding the art form. Other practitioners, including Gokul Sarma and teacher Jiten Sarma, have also contributed significantly to sustaining the distinctive cultural tradition of Darrang.
For generations, women were largely excluded from performing Vyas Ojapali because of prevailing social customs and traditional beliefs. Seeking to broaden participation in the art form, Barun Dev Sarma mentored a group of young women, leading to the official debut of the “Maa Parijati Byasini Ojapali Dal” on 20 July 2023. The nine-member troupe became the first all-women Vyas Ojapali ensemble in Assam.
The initiative reportedly encountered social criticism and resistance during its initial stages, resulting in three members leaving the group. Despite these challenges, Sarma continued to train and encourage the remaining performers, advocating that folk culture should remain accessible to all irrespective of gender.
The troupe is currently led by Oja Upasana Sarma, with Jina Priyam Sarma serving as Dainapali, while Jyotismita Sarma, Torali Sarma, Kavyashree Sarma and Dharitri Sarma perform as Palis. Since making its debut at a Durga Puja celebration in Byaspara, the group has performed at various cultural events across Assam.
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The ensemble has also received recognition at the state level. It earned honours in the Folk Music (Vyas Oja category) during the State Kala Sangam organised at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra. The troupe was subsequently selected to represent the tradition at the National Kala Utsav held in Pune in December last year.
The emergence of Assam’s first all-women Vyas Ojapali troupe reflects a broader evolution within traditional performing arts, demonstrating how heritage practices can adapt while preserving their cultural essence. Supporters of the initiative view it as an important example of expanding opportunities for women within historically male-dominated folk traditions.
With decades of dedication to preserving Vyas Ojapali, Barun Dev Sarma continues to be recognised not only as a performer but also as a mentor committed to ensuring that one of Assam’s oldest cultural traditions remains relevant for future generations.
