Guwahati, July 6: ‘Bala – A Musical Ballad’, presented by Guwahati’s Darpan Dance Akademi, lit up the stage at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra with a stunning tribute to the late Birubala Rabha — Padma Shri awardee and relentless crusader against witch-hunting and superstition in Assam.
Conceived and choreographed by renowned Sattriya and Odissi dancer Dr. Anjana Moyee Saikia, Bala didn’t just entertain — it challenged, provoked, and inspired. At the heart of the production was Saikia’s powerful portrayal of Birubala, capturing the grit, pain, and fire of a woman who dared to stand up against centuries of blind belief and cultural silence.
More than a dance drama, Bala was a full-bodied artistic assault on fear and ignorance. With a tight screenplay, striking visual direction, and puppetry infused with Assam’s ancient Shruti-Naad Parampara oral tradition, director Manik Roy pushed the boundaries of narrative storytelling. Each scene was layered with movement, metaphor, and meaning — a storm of sound, light, and emotion.
The production paid homage to Birubala Rabha’s tireless activism — not just as a voice against witch-hunting, but as a visionary pushing for dignity, education, and healthcare for Assam’s most vulnerable, especially women and children. Bala captured her as more than a reformer — she was portrayed as a symbol of fearlessness, resilience, and radical compassion.
Dr. Saikia’s choreography didn’t hold back, crafting distinct movements even for puppets, while Roy’s poetic script delivered emotional depth and political clarity. The music, composed by Mandeep Mahanta with contributions from Rupjyoti Konwar and Jaynath Deka, heightened the drama. Vocal performances by Panchuna Rabha, Bhiolina Boro, and Mahanta added raw intensity, while poems by Debajyoti Sarmah and lyrics by Luit Konwar Rudra Barua and Manik Roy drove home the message.
The lighting, designed by Tapan Kumar Baruah, and the pulse of live Assamese percussion built an immersive atmosphere that gripped the audience from start to finish. Anchored by Runumi Devi, the event also recognized Mamoni Sakia, a close associate of Birubala Rabha, and honoured Rabha’s daughter, Komoli Bala, for continuing her mother’s legacy.
Performers like Abhijit Chutia, Harshita Ray Choudhury, Kaushik Kishore Hazarika, and others brought emotional authenticity to their roles, making Bala not just a performance, but a movement. Every element — from dance and puppetry to poetry and protest — blended into a searing call for justice and social transformation.
Bala was not just a tribute. It was a reckoning — a reminder that the fight against ignorance and fear is far from over and that one woman’s courage can ignite an entire stage.
