Theatre of the Spectacle: A Study of Bhraamyamaan Theatre in Assam

Abstract

Bhraamyamaan has come from the word “Bhraman”. In Assamese, “Bhraman” means “to move” or “to travel”. Bhraamyamaan means “mobile” or “traveling”. Bhraamyamaan theatre is the most popular and vibrant form of theatre in Assam. It is also the most commercially successful form of performing art in Assam. It is primarily a theatre of the spectacle. The producers invest a lot on creating a spectacle on stage. The continuity and popularity of Bhraamyamaan theatre ensure that the popular and time-tested methods of production are retained. However, experiment is frequently done on stage not at the cost of commercial enterprise. Bhraamyamaan theatre is often criticized for its adherence to hollow dramatic themes. It is rejected by some theatre critics as trash. However, they are unable to answer why such trash is consumed by the audience. The paper comments on the process of spectacle-making on Bhraamyamaan stage and to what effect these methods have been used by the artists/producers.