Folk Theatre (a): Kamrupia Dhulia

Kamrupia Dhulia is one of the very beautiful folk dramas of Assam. It has a distinct place in Assamese culture and society. Kamrupia dhulia is very ancient performing art mainly prevalent in Kamrup, Nalbari, Darrang and Goalpara district of Assam. Dhulia is the drummer who plays dhol. Kamrupia Dhulia has been proving very popular in Kamrup region and it takes its name from this region only. Kamrupia Dhulia includes dance, drama, music, bhaona and circus under its fold. Incorporating circus comprising of various interesting acrobatic feats is monopoly of Kamrupia Dhulia.

The acting part of Kamrupia Dhulia is classified into two parts—

1. Acting related to myth.
2. Acting expressing contemporary society with satire. This kind of acting is called “Song”.

“The vibrant feature of the Kamrupia Dhulia is the using of different size of Dhols or drums i.e one of the instruments that dominate Assamese culture, different wooden masks, narration of story through orally transmitted songs, distinctive folk way of presentation, ritualistic association and so on lends a distinctive flavour to this significant folk art form.”^[1]

History of Kamrupia Dhulia goes back to several centuries. There are several evidences, which support the existence of Kamrupia Dhulia since time immemorial in Assam. Kamrupia Dhulia is recogonize as pre Sankari tradition. Like other folk drama, initially Kamrupia Dhulia performed only in religious rituals and it was temple art.

However, very soon it became popular among common mass.

“According to Professor Sashi Sharma, Popularity of Kamrupia dhulia has been increasing since 19^th century”.^[2]

Manner of Presentation:

Kamrupia Dhulia is a group performance. Kamrupia Dhulia group comprises with 20 (twenty) to forty (fourty) members. Kamrupia Dhulia plays 10 (ten) to 15(fifteen) drums or dhol of different size. Different drums used in Kamrupia Dhulia are–Jai Dhol, Raja dhol, Karka dhol, Pati dhol, Dhepa dhol, Jai dhol, Bor dhol etc. along with six to eight pairs of Bhortal or Patital (cymbal). The key person of Kamrupia Dhulia troupe is Bayan. Under his lead, the art form proceeds systematically. From recitation of verses to playing dhol (drum) in the initial stage, presence of Bayana is mandatory. Bayan is known as “Ghai dhulia”. Other members of Kamrupia Dhulia are Pati Dhulia, Namuoi (singer), taluoi (cymbal player) and Bhaurias. Ghai dhulia and Bhauria meets in conversation and informs about the theme to the spectators. Dhulia means the drum player, namuoi means the singer and taluoi means the cymbal player. Kamrupia Dhulia adopt stories from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata,the Puran and from the folk life of the surroundings. As Kamrupia Dhulia is a folk drama, performance is held in open stage, which is called “Khola”. Traditionally the troupes used lighted lamps called Ariya (cotton or pisces of cloth soaked in mustered oil). In some of the rural areas, gas light is use.

Different phases of Kamrupia Dhulia

Depending on the manner of presentation, Kamrupia Dhulia can divided in to three categories.They are-

1. Sabhagoa Dhulia,
2. Biyagoa Dhulia,
3. Pujagoa Dhulia.

Brief description of these three types of Kamrupia Dhulia are given below—

(a) Sobhagoa Dhulia:

Sobhagoa Dhulia is mainly performs in the occasion of Sobha, Gondh, Sueri, Bhotheli festival. These festivals are celebrated in Kamrup, Darrang, Nalbari, Mangaldoi of Assam. Sobhagoa Dhulia comprises with Gayan, Bayan, Taluoi, Khorkusti (acrobatic feat) player and actors. Bhaira, Bhaoria and Kalia are other important characters of Sabhagoa Dhulia. Sobhagoa Dhulia troupe use one pair of huge Dhol (drum), which is called Guri dhol or Goror dhol. Guri dhol is called Ghai dhol.The English meaning of ghai is main.The instrumentalist who play Ghai dhol is called Ghai Dhulia. He controls the whole course of the performance.`Some Kamrupia dhulia groups comprises with two Ghai Dhulias. Ghai dhols are plays along with minimum three Aag dhols. Three to six pairs of big cymbal called “Bhortal” is use in Sobhagoa Dhulia. The cymbal players and singers are called taluoi and gayan respectively.

The performances of physical tricks or acrobatic feats are the main attraction of Sobhagoa Dhulia.The performers are called Khuitar.Dramas incorporate in Kamrupia Dhulia takes there theme from the Puran and contemporary issues. Dramas are called “Song”.Here Song plays an important role. Before performance of main play, dance drama is performed and it is known as Kutting. Girls also take part in Kutting.

(b) Biyagoa Dhulia

Biyagoa Dhulia performs in marriage ceremonies of Assamese people. Biyagoa Dhulia troupe performs in every auspicious step of marriage. Biyagoa Dhulia comprises of three to five performers. Kali players play tune of marriage (biya nam) song.

(c) Pujagoa Dhulia

Pujagoa Dhulia performs in various worship ceremonies of Assam.Generally, Pujagoa Dhulia constitutes of ten to twelve members.Kalipuja, Durgapauja, Manasapuja, Lakhshmi pujas are incomplete without playing of dhol. Kali is another important musical instrument of Kamrupia Dhulia.

First phase of Kamrupia Dhulia:

The manner of presentation of Kamrupia Dhulia is unique. Singing of invocatory and special song along with special rhythmic patterns on dhol and tal indicates the beginning of the performance.The first phase of Kamrupia Dhulia has similarity with preliminary stage of Ankiya bhaona or Purvarango of Sanskrit play.

This phase again can classify into four categories. They are—

1. Kholafureni or Kholajageni (pratyaharan),
2. Entrance into Sabhathali or open stage (awataron),
3. Gurughat anusthan (arambha),
4. Sabhapateni or Sabhabandana (stutigit).

Regional difference can see in presentation of Kamrupia Dhulia. In the initial stage, performers of Kamrupia Dhulia troupes of North Kamrup region play their dhols and tals to inform people about their arriving at the destination. They make their entry into stage in a line by playing dhol and tals. Then they divides into two parts.Dhol and tal players stand in the first line and namuoi stands in their back and play dhol and tal simultaneously. The sound of dhol and tal is called Thiyakub bajana or Kholafureni bajana.The sound gradually takes fast speed. Dhulia’s foot movement plays here important role. Dhulia gives one-step forward to right side and one-step backward to left side with rhythm of music and dance in half circular way by playing dhol. Patidhulias then dance very fast by playing dhol himself. Thiyokub bajana follows by serious Gurughat. Gurughat is known as Gormondoli, Gorjoma and so on. Following that, playing of Ghaidhulia along with invocatory song or vandana starts. Mainly “Shiv vandana” is sung. After vandana, sabhapateni song starts. Those song reveals birth of “Sobha” (assembly), describes how Brahma’s assembly came to earth. The songs are of narrative form, so they are known as “Bainyani” in Kamrup region.

There are slight differences in the presentation of first phase of South Kamrup region to North Kamrup region. The troupe leads by a man holding “ariya” to the stage.Generally folk dramas are performed at night time. Ariya is the traditional toarch made of bamboo and cotton soacked in musterd oil. The performers came to stage like a rally.Patidhulia takes place in the front line and he follows by a dhulia playing huge dhol.Ghai dhulia follows both pati dhulia and huge dhol player. Taluoi(the cymbal player) and Namuoi (the singer) follow all three dhulias. Kamrupia dhulia of South Kamrup starts their performance with Gurughat. Troupes of South Kamrup region sing “Juroni git” in first phase. Pathok or singer starts the song and others repeat it. After ending of Juroni git, they start Vandana or invocatory song, which is called Sabha vandana.

East Kamrup region have similarity in presentation of first phase of Kamrupia dhulia with South Kamrup.Performers led by ariya holder to the stage in a rally. He is followed by Pali dhulia. Again, Pali dhulia is follows by Ghai dhulia.Taluoi and Gayana team takes position in the last of the short rally. Gayana starts singing and dhulia and taluoi accompanies him. Dhulia play Khola ghuroni bajana in the entering time to stage.

Presentation style of Kamrupia dhulia troupes of Darrang region is different from other three regions. The dhulia troupe enters to the place of performance from the west side by offering salutation to alter and audience.They start their performance with Guru vandana or Mangalacharan by playing Gurughat or deubadi. Dhol players perform Gurughat by dancing in affable way. Dance perform with deubadi is called Deunrityo or god inviting dance.

Second phase

The second phase of Kamrupia Dhulia of north Kamrup is Circus. Circus includes various exciting physical exercise or Kusti of performers.“Walking over a tight rope, jumping through a fire ring,breaking of coconut over one’s head etc. are some such tricks.^[3] Circus phase is same in case of Kamrupia dhulia troupe of East Kamrup, South Kamrup and Darrang region. Second phase of South Kamrup region include “Mangalacharan”. In Mangalacharan, drummer sings blessing song, which referred as Sabha vandana.

In the second phase of presentation, east Kamrup dhulia troupe presents “Soru dhemali” (temporary cessation in a dance). Finishing Soru dhemali, every member of the troupe sings Vanadana song. Addressing to audience the gayana then sings history of the birth of assembly (sobha), creation of cow and so on.

Kamrupia dhulia troupe of Darrang region plays different badi in drum in second phase.They play attractive badi like Suli ghurua badi,Akubia, Sokubia, Saloni badi etc. Dhulias dances in different style according to different badi.

Third phase

The Kamrupia dhulia troupe of North kamrup region performs “Song” in third phase of their performance. Song is one kind of drama without written script. They are orally transmitted from one to another generation. Bhaira is the main character and attraction for the audience. Bhaira conveys massage to society containing different issues.The main aim of song is to create an environment of happiness by using clown with satirical dialogue.

The third phase, of Kamrupia dhulia of South Kamrup region is different from performance of Kamrupia Dhulia of other region.

In this phase, “one drummer along with a cymbal player moves around like a shuttle of weaver. This is called “Dhuliar Khor Tali”.This can be considered as an interlude between dramas.And this type of interlude comes in after every presentation.”^[4]

Kamrupia Dhulia of Eastern part of Kamrup performs circus in the third phase like North Kamrup.

Kamrupia Dhulia of Darrang region describes about birth of assembly in third phase of their performance through mythical songs. Thereafter, dhulias play dhol in very fast mood along with dance. Satirical songs have important place in Kamrupia Dhulia.

Fourth phase

The fourth phase of Kamrupia Dhulia for North Kamrup region is known as Bhaona. Bhaona is not only fourth phase, but also last phase of Kamrupia Dhulia North kamrup. In this phase stories based on the myth, purana and the Ramayana and the Mahabhara are opted for acting. It is worth mentioning that stories gets new look in Kamrupia Dhulia with the touch of the Bhairas. There is a tradition of performing a dance drama before main play. In the language of Kamrupia Dhulia, this dance drama is known as Kutting.In Drama part, mask is also used. Masks use in Kamrupia Dhulia are made of wood and sometimes from clay.

Dhulia troupes of south Kamrup perform physical exercise, acrobatic feat in fourth phase of the performance. In South Kamrup, Dhulia troupes are known as Dhulia circus. Techniques of presentation of Circus have similarity with performance of other three regions.

In the fourth phase, Kamrupia Dhulia troupes of east Kamrup performs physical exercise, acrobatic feat and magic. Another important feature of this phase is performance of mask dance.

Kamrupia Dhulia troupes of Darrang region presents fourth phase in a different way. This phase includes puppet dance programme. A puppet of Monkey is used and makes it dance with the rhythm of drum and cymbal.

Costume and make-up

As a folk drama, costume and make up of Kamrupia Dhulia is very simple. They do not use the chemical make up, they use only locally and easily available materials for their makeover. Rice powder, chalk powder, lime stone, vermilion are used by performer for makeup. Generally, Oja keeps his hair long.

The main aim of Kamrupia Dhulia is to entertain people. Performers choose costume that can contribute in creating an environment of laughter.The performers have freedom to change their dress according to the themes of the act.In the circus phase performers wear colourful and loose comfortable dress according to the circus stunts. Talia, Kalia and Dhulia wear hatsola and dhuti. There is no strict rule about the sleeves. Some wear full sleeve shirt while some wear half sleeve shirt. Namuoi, Taluoi of some troupe wear turban and tide red cloth on wrist.Man wearing Assamese traditional dress of woman plays role of woman character. Use of mask is another important feature of Kamrupia dhulia.Mask of lightwood and mask of clay is use in Kamrupia Dhulia performance.Use of mask brings added beauty to the Kamrupia Dhulia.The themes of Kamrupia Dhulia are mainly based on folk life.

Different masks to suit different characters are use in Kamrupia Dhulia.

“The masks used in Dhullia Bhaona are masks of kings and queens, masks of old men and women, masks of doctors and masks of different animals like tiger, dog,cow etc. The mask of Goddess Durga, mask of Ganesh and Kartika, mask of Shupornakha,etc.are myth-related masks used in Kamrupia Dhulia. The mask of Kamrupia Dhulia is often made from wood, although they sometimes use masks of clay too.”^[5]

Conclusion

Kamrupia Dhulia has intimate relation with social life of lower part of Assam. It has been serving as an important social media in folk society of lower Assam.Kamrupia Dhulia troupes are invited to perform in religious ceremonies, festivals and marriage ceremony of lower Assam.With the passage of time, some changes have come to the theme of Kamrupia Dhulia.Now a days this folk performing art is used by government departments like Aids Control Society of Assam, Public Health Department of Assam and other Non Government Organizations to create awareness among common mass about exploitation, oppression and vital social issues like illiteracy, status of women, bride burning, dowry system, female infanticide etc. Kamrupia Dhulia reflects the society and its environment through their performance.One of the important characteristics of the songs of Kamrupia Dhulia is that it reflects the reality of human life.Kamrupia Dhulia played important role in freedom fight of India against British. During the period of freedom struggle, patriotic songs were used by Kamrupia Dhulia to make the common people aware and to encourage to join in the independence movement of India. It has greatest appeal to the masses and has qualities of touching the deepest emotions of the illiterates.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Saikia G, Tamuli S: Folk Theatre of Assam, DIPR, Guwahati, Assam 2014, p:50

[2]:

Barman Krishna: Namoni Asomar Dhulia anusthanor parompora Kamrupia Dhulia, Chandra prakash,. 2011 p:67.

[3]:

Sharma Nabin Chandra: “Asomar Parivesya Kala Ojapali’, Bani Prokash Pvt.Ltd.,1996, p:35

[4]:

Saikia Gitali, Tamuli Sanjib Luchan: “Folk Theatre of Assam”, DIPR,Guwahati,Assam, p:27

[5]:

Ibid:p:60