Theatre tourism is more than just watching a performance—it is an immersive journey into the heart of a place, where stories reflect traditions, values, and community spirit. Assam has long embraced theatre as a powerful storytelling medium, from Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva’s spiritual Ankiya Naat to the dynamic Bhramyaman (mobile) theatre. Now, the state pioneers a new evolution—eco-theatre and site-specific theatre, where nature itself becomes the stage.
In Sualkuchi, the famed land of Mekhela Sador, theatre takes on a devotional form during Guru Jayanti, celebrating the birth anniversary of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva. The narrow lanes transform into a vast open-air stage for Baat-Bhaona, a sacred street performance that brings centuries-old spiritual narratives to life. Performed on the eve of the Mahapurush’s birth anniversary, this one-day spectacle spills into village alleys. Local male actors don elaborates costumes, with skilled makeup artists preparing them in a designated space within namghars. Musicians and prompters remain visible throughout the play, sometimes even doubling as actors, adding a spontaneous charm. What makes Baat-Bhaona extraordinary is its prelude—a ritualistic street cleansing, practiced since 1930, symbolizing purification before the sacred art unfolds. More than just theatre, it is a cultural pilgrimage offering travelers a deep connection to Assam’s spiritual and artistic heritage.
A beacon of Assam’s eco-theatre movement, Badungduppa Kalakendra was founded in 1988 by the late Sukhrachayya Rabha in Rampur, Goalpara. Though he passed away at just 41 in 2018, his vision of sustainability and cultural revival endures through the Kalakendra, which upholds his legacy and festival. Built from locally sourced thatch and bamboo, it epitomizes the philosophy of “Acting Natural.” The Kalakendra hosts the acclaimed Under the Sal Tree festival in mid-December, where performances unfold amidst a tranquil Sal tree plantation, untouched by artificial lights or microphones. Celebrated for its zero-carbon footprint, the festival uses bamboo-and-straw seating for an immersive, eco-conscious theatre experience, attracting artists from across India and beyond, inspired by the philosophy of blending theatre with nature.
The spirit of this movement continues through another eco-theatre initiative shaping Assam’s cultural tourism landscape—Dengrali Creators’ Hub in Sonapur, near Guwahati, led by Smt. Monimala Das. Beyond its annual Tides Eco-Theatre Festival in late December, Dengrali is evolving into a year-round cultural hub. The site offers photography exhibitions, puppet shows, handloom corners, and camping, with tour operators promoting it as a unique tourism product. Educational institutions also embrace its experiential approach, bringing students for hands-on learning. With nearly 35 species of birds and the nearby village of Dikchak offering an authentic rural experience, Dengrali intertwines culture and nature.
In Assam, theatre is no longer confined to an auditorium—it breathes in rustling leaves, open skies, and golden dusk. With Baat-Bhaona, Under the Sal Tree, and Dengrali, theatre tourism transforms into an experience where performance and nature exist as one. The stage is the earth, the backdrop is the forest, and the final curtain call is the setting sun.