Tezpur Bhaona Samaroh 2025 to be held from August 3-9: Week-long Cultural Festival to celebrate “Ankiya Naats”
In a vibrant effort to uphold and celebrate Assam’s rich cultural legacy, Tezpur Udyoman Yuva Samaj, with unwavering support from the local community, is all set to organise the Tezpur Bhaona Samaroh 2025, a week-long cultural extravaganza dedicated to the traditional art form of Bhaona.
The cultural festivities will take place from August 3 to August 9, 2025, at the heart of Tezpur, the cultural capital of Assam. The event will feature six captivating Bhaona performances over seven days, each bringing to life the spiritual depth and dramatic splendour of this revered theatrical tradition, rooted in the teachings of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva.
Marking the formal commencement of the celebrations, the traditional Lai Khuta was ceremoniously erected today at Swahid Bakori, symbolising the beginning of this much-anticipated event. Bhaona is a mythology-based theatrical performance created by Sankardeva, with plays popularly known as Ankiya Naats. These performances always carry a religious message and show the victory of good over evil, generally using mythological figures drawn from the Bhagavata and the Ramayana.
Organisers shared that meticulous planning is underway to ensure that every performance resonates with the true essence of Bhaona, and they are hopeful for active participation from all sections of society. With a vision to inspire and engage younger generations, the event also aims to strengthen the bond between the community and its cultural roots.
The festival will present a carefully curated selection of mythological tales, each carrying profound moral and spiritual messages. On August 4th, “Daksha Yagya” will depict the story of Daksha performing a grand yagya to insult Lord Shiva, deliberately excluding Shiva from the guest list, ultimately leading to Sati’s self-immolation in protest of her father’s disrespectful treatment of her consort.
The following day, August 5th, will witness “Prahlad Charitra,” the inspiring tale of Prahlad, a devoted follower of Vishnu who faced persecution from his demon father Hiranyakashipu. The performance will culminate with Vishnu’s incarnation as Narasimha to destroy the tyrant and save his devotee.
“Swarna Lanka Dahan” on August 6th will showcase Hanuman’s heroic act of setting fire to Ravana’s golden city of Lanka. This dramatic performance will depict how Hanuman’s tail was set ablaze by Ravana’s soldiers during his mission to find Sita, leading to his strategic burning of the demon king’s capital.
August 7th brings “Kumar Haran,” a tale deeply connected to Tezpur’s own legendary history. The story revolves around the mythological romance between Usha, daughter of demon king Banasura, and Aniruddha, grandson of Lord Krishna. Usha fell in love with Aniruddha in her dreams, and her companion Chitralekha identified him by painting his portrait from Usha’s description. The performance will celebrate the enduring legend of Agnigarh hill, which stands as a testament to this ancient love story.
The penultimate day, August 8th, will feature “Matsya Avatar,” presenting the first incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a fish. This performance will narrate how the divine fish avatar grew from the smallest to the largest size, ultimately rescuing the four Vedas from the ocean’s depths where they had been hidden by demons, thereby preserving sacred knowledge for humanity.
The festival will conclude on August 9th with “Abhimanyu Vadh,” the tragic yet heroic tale of Arjuna’s 16-year-old son who fought valiantly in the Chakravyuha during the Kurukshetra war. Though skilled in entering the complex military formation, Abhimanyu’s inability to exit it led to his heroic last stand against formidable warriors including Karna and Duryodhana.
Bhaona focuses on the ultimate victory of good through divine intervention. The Tezpur Bhaona Samaroh 2025 promises to be a magnificent celebration of this timeless art form, bringing together communities to witness the eternal triumph of righteousness over evil.
The organisers express their commitment to preserving and promoting this invaluable cultural heritage while ensuring that the younger generation remains connected to their ancestral traditions through these powerful performances.
