ASSAMESE DRAMATIC MOVEMENT AND SRIMANTA SANKARADEVA

Abstract

Sankardeva was not only the father of Assamese drama and stage but also pioneer of dramatic movement of Assam as well as India. Sankardeva had been influenced by classical Sanskrit drama and folk drama institutions of India. During his twelve years pilgrimage, Sankardeva had been familiar with the folk institution of different parts of India. As a result he gave a new dimension in play writing, which is known as “Ankiya Naat” According to Dr. B. L. Baruah, “The pre Vaisnavite Oja-Pali dance recital might have given to Sankardeva the basic idea for the production of Ankiya Naat. It may, therefore, be reasonably presumed that the recital of Kāvya, Oja-Pali choral singing and secular shows of other parts of India might have jointly contributed to the risk of the fully developed drama in Assamese”. The process led of Sankardeva to the growth of a new dialect (Brajawali) was unique language of vernacular style. The dressing and painting style of the actors of Sankardeva plays was really uncommon. The use of masks by the actors was really unbelievable. On the other hand the lighting style in the stage of Ankiya drama was extra ordinary. To find out, how Ankiya Naat lined up all the parts of one act play categorically and it continues its gravity from starting to end, how his plays inspired and entertained the Assamese masses with their educative value and how he skilfully designed his various ideas in a proper and systematic way, I try to prepare my research paper on the topic “Assamese Dramatic movement and Srimanta Sankaradeva”