Bhaona
Bhaona is a religious one act play of the Bhagavatic tradition that was started by by the poet and religious reformer Srimanta Sankardeva in Assam, India, in the 15th and 16th centuries.The plays are in Brajavali, an old Assamese language that Sankardev used, and are performed at namghars (Bhagavati temples) of villages in the month of Jeth, acting out episodes from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. This is a new documentary protography project about the epic performances in the namghars.
Bhaona performers don costumes and apply make up in the backroom of a namghar preparing for the their scenes.
Bhaona performers don costumes and apply make up in the backroom of a namghar preparing for the their scenes.
Bhaona performers don costumes and apply make up in the backroom of a namghar preparing for the their scenes. Despite having female characters in the plays, girls had not been traditionally part of the performers. Here local village girls dress a boy apply make up on him preparing him for his role as the lead female character of the play.
Bhaona performers don costumes and apply make up in the backroom of a namghar preparing for the their scenes. Here a performer, dressed as Lord Shiva, the Hindu God, sits with a hand fan to beat the heat.
Bhaona performers with costumes and make up waiting for their turn to play their characters.
Bhaona performers with costumes and make up waiting for their turn to play their characters.
Bhaona performers with costumes and make up waiting for their turn to play their characters.
Bhaona in progress.
A Bhaona performer, playing the role of Narada, a Vedic saint in the Ramayana, enters the namghar that acts as the stage for the play.