Dhubri: A two-day workshop-cum-seminar aimed at exploring the relationship between India’s theatre traditions and society, with a focus on tradition, performance, identity and contemporary perspectives, concluded at Chilarai College in Dhubri district on Friday.The event was sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research’s (ICSSR) North East Regional Centre, Meghalaya, with assistance from the college’s Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and Centre for Ethnic Studies and Research (CESR). It was organised in collaboration with Silpi Samaj, Golakganj.The workshop provided a platform for students, research scholars, academicians and theatre professionals from across India to interact.Invited scholars Subrat Jyoti Neog of Tezpur University, Namrata Pathak of Tura Campus of North-Eastern Hill University, Neetu Sahariya of Madhabdev University and prof Jyotirmoy Prodhani of NEHU, Shillong, addressed the plenary session online.Taranee Deka, vice-chancellor of Bongaigaon University, attended the inaugural session as the chief guest and keynote speaker.Dhruba Chakrabortty, retired principal of BN College, Dhubri, released the abstract book during the inaugural session and formally inaugurated the workshop.A team of 12 theatre practitioners from Ashoknagar Natyamukh, Kolkata, under the guidance of Avi Chakraborty, conducted the workshop. More than 100 Chilarai College students participated.The interactive sessions provided students with practical exposure to theatre practices and helped them understand the relationship between dramatic performance and society.An academic session on “Theatre Practice in the Golakganj Area and the Contribution of Shibesh Chandra Prodhani” was held with Dr Protima Neogi and Hemalata Kakati in the chair.Nagen Roy, Dwijendra Nath Bhakat, Shubhash Chandra Roy and Minakshi Dakua presented papers during the session. Around 60 papers were presented in online and offline modes during the seminar.The event concluded with the distribution of certificates by Chilarai College principal Nitai Chandra Roy. Umesh Das, assistant professor and head of Department of Assamese and organising convener of the workshop-cum-seminar, proposed the vote of thanks.
