Bhari Gan Theatre of Assam: In Conversation with Nabina C. Sharma
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Bhari Gan Theatre of Assam: In Conversation with Nabina C. Sharma

Performing Arts
in Interview
Published on: 02 November 2018

Arup Bordoloi

Arup Bordoloi is pursuing his Ph.D under the Department of Folklore Research, Gauhati University. He is presently working in the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra of Panjabari, Guwahati. He is a recipient of gold medal from Tezpur Central University for his Masters in Cultural Studies. He also did Masters in Communication and Journalism from Gauhati University. He had received the All India Tata Fellowships in Folklore from the National Folklore Support Centre, Chennai. He has contributed a number of research-based articles on different aspects of culture in local dailies, and a few articles in research journals.

An introductory exposition on Bhari Gan with Dr Nabin Chandra Sharma

 

Summary of the interview -

 

Interviewee: Dr. Nabin Chandra Sharma

Interviewer: Arup Bordoloi

Language of Interview: Assamese

 

Dr Nabin Chandra Sharma is a septuagenarian scholar and a renowned folklorist of the state of Assam. In this audio-visual discussion the retired Head of Department, Folklore Research, Gauhati University highlights the various aspects of the Bhari Gan folk art form. He initiates the discussion by describing the connotations of the term ‘Bhari Gan’. He further goes on to shed light on how the term ‘Bhari’ carries the meaning ‘heavy’ and how it is associated with the Assamese term for ‘acting’. 

 

Dr Sharma also describes the similarities and differences between Bhari Gan and various other theatrical art forms found in the region like Khulia-bhaoriya, Mare Gan, Padda Puranar Gan and others. While comparing the various art forms with Bhari Gan he also describes certain aspects like musical instruments, masks, style of presentation of both Bhari Gan and these other art forms.