THEATRICAL DEVOTION: UNVEILING THE SPIRITUAL DYNAMICS OF ANKIYA BHAONA WITHIN BHAKTI
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i1.2024.1433Keywords:
Ankiya Bhaona, Bhakti Movement, Sankaradeva, Assamese Theatre, Devotional PerformanceAbstract [English]
Ankiya Bhaona, through its founder, the 15th-century Vaishnavite saint Sankaradeva (1449-1568), presents a unique theatrical tradition of Assam, India. This paper explores the spiritual dynamics of Ankiya Bhaona to highlight its place in the Bhakti movement. The study examines the historical development, cultural influences, and devotional elements that define Ankiya Bhaona. Originating from Sankaradeva’s classic “Cihna Yatra,” (Pageant on Painted Scenes) Ankiya Bhaona blends Sanskrit drama with Assamese folk traditions, creating a powerful medium for spiritual expression. These narratives, primarily regarding the lives and deeds of Krishna and Rama, are performed in Namghars (prayer halls), reinforcing community engagement and devotion. The paper portrays the unique features of Ankiya Bhaona through a comparative analysis with other Bhakti performances, emphasizing its use of indigenous cultural elements and its roles as religious and social gatherings. This study also considers the symbolism and metaphors employed in the performances, showing their part in deepening the audience’s spiritual experience. This paper underlines that Ankiya Bhaona is essential not only in the community’s life but also as a guarantor of cultural continuity, making it an integral part of Assamese cultural heritage.
References
Baruah, S. P. (1996). Assamese Theatre. Padma Prakash.
Bhatia, N. (1996). Jatra: The Popular Open-Air Theatre of Bengal. Seagull Books.
Bhattacharya, H. (1988). Asomiya Natya Sahityar Jilingani (Aadir pora 1967 San Parjantya). Lawyers Book Stall.
Chatterjee, S. (2007). Theatre in Bengal: The Jatra Tradition. Rupa Publications.
Deva Goswami, K. (1986). Satra-Sanskritir Ruprekha. Banalata.
Deva Goswami, K. (2000). Ankiya Bhaona. Banalata.
Deva Goswami, K. (2015). Sankardevar Naat aru Bhaona. Sahitya Academy.
Duttabaruah, H. (1996). Gurucharit: Ramcharan Thakur. Dutta Baruah & Co.
Gaston, A.-M. (1996). Bharata Natyam: From Temple to Theatre. Manohar Publishers.
Gogoi, J. (2013). “Asomar Paramparagata Kutirsilpa aru Bhaktidharma”. In M. Neog (Ed.), Dekagiri-12th Issues (pp. 49-53). Srimanta Sankardeva Sangha.
Gogoi, J., & Goswami, M. J. (2012). “A Critical and Historical Study of the Staging Technique of Sankaradeva’s Plays”. In N. B. Goswami (Ed.), The Heritage (Vol. III, Issue 2). Aitihya Samstha.
Goswami, M. J. (2017). A historical study of Assamese theatre in the light of theatrology (pp. 82-104). In Academic Forum on Theatre in International View, Symposium. Shanghai Theatre Academy.
Goswami, N. C. (1984). Satriya Sanskritir Swarnarekha. Kamalabari Satra.
Hazarika, A. (1995). Manchalekha. Lawyers Book Stall.
Hazarika, B. (Ed.). (2003). Asomiya Sahityar Buranji (1st Part). ABILAC.
Hawley, J. S. (2015). A Storm of Songs India and the Idea of the Bhakti Movement. Harvard University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674425262
Kakati, B. K. (Ed.). (1959). Aspect of Early Assamese Literature. Guwahati: Gauhati University.
Kinsley, D. R. (1979). The divine player (a study of Krsna līlā) (1st ed.). Motilal Banarsidass.
Kothari, S. (1989). Kathak: Indian Classical Dance Art. Abhinav Publications.
Lekharu, U. (Ed.). (1987). Katha-Gurucharit. Dutta Baruah & Co.
Mahanta, P. (2020). Sankardeavar Silpaluk. Purbanchan Prakash.
Mahanta, P. J. (1999). “Bhaona: The Traditional Vaisnava Theatre of Assam”. In B. Dutta & P. J. Mahanta (Eds.). Traditional Performing Arts of North East India (pp. 49-63). Assam Academy for Cultural Relations.
Mahanta, P. J. (2007). The Sankardeva Movement: Its Cultural Horizons. Purbanchal Prakash.
Medhi, K. (1953). ‘‘Origin of the Assamese Drama”. In B. Kakati (ed.), Aspect of Early Assamese Literature (pp. 189-216). Gauhati University.
Neog, M. (1965). Sankardeva and His Times: Early History of the Vaisnava Faith and Movement in Assam. Gauhati University.
Neog, M. (ed.) (1977). Bardowa Gurucharit. Guwahati Book Stall
Neog, M. (ed.) (1987). Guru-Charit Katha. Gauhati University.
Neog, M. (s.l.). Bhaona: The Ritual Play of Assam. Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Neog, M. (2004). Essays on Assamese Literature. Omson Publishers.
Richmond, F. P. (1974). The Vaiṣṇava Drama of Assam. Educational Theatre Journal, 26(2), 145-163. doi:10.2307/3206631. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3206631
Richmond, F. P., Swann, D. L., & Zarrilli, P. B. (1993). Indian theatre: Traditions of performance. Motilal Banarsidass.
Saikia, R. R., & Bordoloi, M. (Eds.). (2007). Bhaona Darpan. Sankalan Kosh Samiti.
Sarma, S. N. (1965). The New Vaishnavite Movement and Satra Institution of Assam. Gauhati University.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Gitanjali Deka
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
With the licence CC-BY, authors retain the copyright, allowing anyone to download, reuse, re-print, modify, distribute, and/or copy their contribution. The work must be properly attributed to its author.
It is not necessary to ask for further permission from the author or journal board.
This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.
