Arun Sarma’s Anupam Andhar to Be Staged in Guwahati on May 23 and 24
The Guwahati Sishu Natya Vidyalaya will stage Arun Sarma’s acclaimed Assamese play Anupam Andhar at the Surjya Club auditorium on May 23 and 24.
GUWAHATI- A theatrical production of Anupam Andhar by noted Assamese dramatist Arun Sarma is scheduled to be staged at the Surjya Club auditorium in Guwahati on May 23 and 24.
The play will be presented by the Guwahati Sishu Natya Vidyalaya (GSNV), a prominent theatre institution known for its work in children’s and youth theatre in Assam. The production has been directed and conceptualised by Manik Roy, a well-known figure in Assamese theatre and founder of the institution.
Recognised as a pioneering figure in Assamese Absurd Theatre, Arun Sarma was the recipient of both the Sahitya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi awards. His contribution to Assamese dramatic literature extended beyond absurdist writing and included the introduction of modern European avant-garde theatrical styles, including expressionism, to Assamese audiences.
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First published in 2013, Anupam Andhar — translated as Dark is Beautiful — is regarded as one of the playwright’s last major full-length dramatic works. The play is noted for its exploration of existential themes, human relationships and social realities through a non-conventional theatrical structure.
According to organisers, the upcoming production seeks to pay tribute to Sarma’s literary and theatrical legacy while introducing contemporary audiences to his distinctive dramatic style. The cast includes emerging theatre performers Mriganga and Atrayee.
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Following Arun Sarma’s death, several theatre groups across Northeast India have continued to stage Anupam Andhar as part of efforts to preserve and celebrate his contribution to Assamese literature and theatre. Productions by the Guwahati Sishu Natya Vidyalaya under the direction of Manik Roy have drawn particular attention for their continued engagement with Sarma’s works.
The performances are expected to attract theatre enthusiasts, students and members of the Assamese literary and cultural community in Guwahati.
