Published Paper Details:

�Bhaona is the performance of Ankia Drama. The Ankia drama is a special form of drama in Assamese literature composed in Brajabuli language by Sankardeva, a great Baishnava Saint of Assam in the sixteenth century AD just to propagate his Bhagavata based faith of bhakti. Later, Madhavdeva and many other followers contributed to the world of Ankia drama. Bhaona performance specially flourished in Satras where it becomes a regular feature on all ceremonial occasions. With the increases of its popularities, it gradually spread to the villages also. Bhaona performance were held on distinguished occasions. The Barechaharia Bhaona, Committee Bhaona and Hezari Bhaona are the festivals of Ankia Nat (Ankia Drama) performance where basically the mythological plays are performed. The Barechaharia Bhaona has been presented by the people of Jamugurihat area of Sonitpur district of Assam in a special form of performance to unite the areas through the Neo-Vaishnavite culture by performing the Ankia plays. The pandal of this Bhaona is made in the model of a lotus flower. The �Simhasana� is established in the centre of it. The other remaining part in the circular pandal is called �Khala� in the local language. The places for audiences and �bhawarias� (actors) are divided by 2-3 feet high bamboo fencing. The Committee Bhaona festival is a unique, historical and traditional performance with its moral significance. The Committee Bhaona festival is observed every three years by the active participation of the people of Charaibahi of Morigoan district. Barechaharia Bhaona has been celebrating since 1797-98 and the Committee Bhaona of Charaibahi was performed at first in 1858. The performers use variety of technique to draw the attention of the audience on the performance. Consequently the drama accommodates dancing, singing, instrumental music and bombastic speeches and other stylized type of performances. The pandals are made so simply in minimum cost and with the objects like bamboos, straw, betel nut trees, coconut tree leaves etc. which are available locally. It is created players through the use of conventional symbolic objects-masks, costumes, a special area of presenting the play etc. This paper is an attempt to present how this Bhaona folk art form has flourished and contributes to the integrity of our society through the art and craftsmanship by the artisans using the raw materials from our surroundings.