Photos: Pandemic-hit theater back in India's northeast

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Photos: Pandemic-hit theater back in India's northeast

Seven roving theater companies are back on stage playing before crowds across the state

Published: April 17, 2022 16:48 AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — Gauhati, India: Traveling theater groups in India's northeastern state of Assam are reviving the local art and culture scene after the COVID-19 pandemic forced a pause in their performances for a year and a half. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — Seven roving theater companies are back on stage playing before crowds in villages, towns and cities across the state. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — These mobile theaters are among the most popular forms of local entertainment. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — "The public response has been very good. They love live performances. We have no competition from television and the digital boom," said Prastuti Parashar, a top Assamese actress who owns the Awahan Theater group. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — Before the coronavirus hit the region, about 50 theater groups, each involving 120 to 150 people, performed throughout the state. They would start in September, coinciding with major Hindu festivals like Durga Puja and Diwali, and continue until April. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — The Awahan Theater is among the groups that have resumed performances and it ended its season last week with the advent of the traditional new year. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — Drama is an integral part of Indian culture and the mobile theater groups don't restrict themselves to mythological and social themes. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — They have in the past covered classic Greek tragedies, Shakespearean tales and historical subjects like the sinking of the Titanic, Lady Diana and Osama bin Laden's attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — The groups travel with directors, actors, dancers, singers, technicians, drivers and cooks, in addition to all the stage infrastructure to perform three shows in one place before moving on to the next makeshift venue _ like a circus show. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — The performances feature many of the state's top actors, including Bhabesh Baruah, Tapan Das, Mridul Bhuyan and Pranjana Dutta. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — During the pandemic-related pause in live theater, some artists and musicians tried their luck in television or digital content, two industries that have depressed the market for movies in Assam. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — A member of Awahan Theater group offers prayer to the Hindu god Natraj before a performance. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — An actor of Awahan theater prepares for his role. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — A man controls the electrical settings for a set during a performance. Image Credit: AP

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India Mobile Theater Photo Gallery — A volunteer arranges chairs inside a tent for a performance. Image Credit: AP

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