Monday 13 June 2016

Doyen of Assam's mobile theatre passes away


Assam on Sunday lost another doyen of its cultural sphere when the founder of Assam's world famous mobile theatre Achyut Lahkar passed away in his home town of Pathsala after prolonged illness. Lahkar, who was 85 years old, was a renowned playwright, actor and dramatist who founded the base of Assam's successful mobile theatre movement. Born in 1931, Lahkar is considered to be the father of the Bhramyaman
or Mobile Theatre of Assam. He was the founder of the very the popular Nataraj Theatre at Pathsala in 1963 which performed across Assam and in other states for nearly 40 years.
He was awarded the Kamal Kumari National Award in 1997. Condoling his death, the Assam government declared state mourning for a day and announced that the last rites will be performed with full state honours.
Assam Chief Minister Sonowal described Lahkar's passing away as an irreparable loss to "Bhramyaman" (travelling) theatre. "A pioneer of Bhramyaman theatre, Achyut Lahkar strode like a colossus spanning several decades. The void created by his death will be difficult to fill. His outstanding contributions will be remembered by posterity," he added.
Sonowal directed Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia to accord full state honours and to declare one-day state mourning in his respect.

No comments:

Post a Comment