Concept of the Project
The project ‘Nat: Theatre Archives of Assam’ aims to collect, consolidate and digitise historical records, original resources and methods of theatrical creation associated with Assam’s theatre, making them easily accessible to researchers and the general public. It seeks to encompass the diverse elements of Assam’s centuries-old folk theatre, modern theatre and contemporary experimental theatre.
Objectives of the Project
The project’s principal objectives include collecting and documenting Assam’s theatrical traditions from the medieval period to the present; preserving and digitising all forms of theatrical processes and theatre-related information; developing a deeper understanding of theatre as an integral part of cultural history; encouraging mutual cooperation among theatre practitioners and researchers; re-examining Assam’s theatre history from the perspectives of theatrical practice and theory; and encouraging research and critical study of Assam’s theatre.
Theatre Experience Centre
The Theatre Experience Centre to be established under the project will be the first and only centre of its kind in the country. It will be located on the lower floor of the 800-seat Sri Sri Damodardeva International Auditorium at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra. The proposed centre will offer visitors a distinctive experience through modern technology, including 3D stage experiences, 3D and 2D immersive screens, an on-demand gallery and video kiosks.
Consultation Meetings
Since the project began, 21 consultation meetings have been held with distinguished and senior theatre personalities and practitioners from Guwahati, Nagaon, Tezpur, Golaghat, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Biswanath Chariali, Lakhimpur, Dhakuakhana, Majuli, Mangaldoi, Barpeta, South Kamrup, Nalbari, Morigaon, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Karbi Anglong, Goalpara and Cachar (Silchar). These meetings have focused on collecting theatre-related information and ensuring its proper preservation.
Documentaries and Interviews
To date, 24 documentaries tracing the history of longstanding theatre groups and 149 interviews documenting the lives and work of distinguished theatre personalities have been completed across seventeen centres: Guwahati, Nagaon, Tezpur, Golaghat, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Mangaldoi, Barpeta, South Kamrup, Majuli, Dhakuakhana, Biswanath Chariali, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Dhemaji and Morigaon. Together, these constitute 173 successfully completed works.
Preserving Assam’s stage.
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