by Trishna Pegu Doley
GUWAHATI : A 10-day workshop on Kamrupi Dhuliya a dying art form from Kamrup region of Assam begins at Khelua Hari Mandir, Pachim Nalbari of Assam from today on 12 PM onwards. The workshop is organized by Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, Ministry of Culture, Govt of India in collaboration with Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Assam, Conducted by ‘CHHAYA-The Shadow’ Nalbari which is a Cultural organization of Assam.
The workshop is organized with an objective for preservation, promotion & documentation this vanishing art form. The Kamrupi Dhuliya is a rare traditional folk drummers from Kamrup, usually in the art form the performers play large and wide big drums called Bor Dhul mostly in ethnic festivals, traditional wedding or especially folk religious traditions of aboriginal Saivitie or Sakti cults mostly.
Though associated with playing the Bor Dhul, they are also known for mixing acting and acrobatic skills with same during some acts. Spontaneity of expressions and quickness of mind and feet were the hallmarks of Kamrupi Dhuliya's. Drumming is accompanied by songs and acting skills sometimes. In the inauguration ceremony as the Chief Guest Shri Shri Swarsawti Barman , Awardee of Sangeet Natak Akademy, New Delhi inaugurated the workshop by Lighting the lamp in presence of Shri Pranjit Deka, Cultural Development Officer of Rabindra Bhavan Guwahati, Shri Karuna Bharali, Former Secretary Assam Sahitrya Sabha , Shri Satish Das, Dramatist, Shri Amarjyoti Das, Local Panchayat President and Shri Jatin Talukdar, Social Activist and other dignitaries. The Workshop is being held under the Guidance of Guru of Kamrupi Dhuliya Shri Lohit Patowari and his Assistants, 25th September 2021 to till 4th October, 2021. The Workshop convener Shri Goutam Kumar Das giving an introduction on the workshop in the event.