Assam government distributes assistance of Rs 10 lakh to mobile theatre groups

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• Oct 12, 2021 | moderator

Guwahati: Assam government provided financial help to mobile theatre (travelling theatre) groups on Wednesday. Assam's 17 portable theatre groups recieved this financial help from the government.

Due to the Covid19 pandemic, these theatre groups went through a drastic downfall. The popular mobile theatres in Assam is a form of theatre which move from one place to another. They provide a mode of entertainment for locals of a region with its actors and supporting staff. The acts are performed on a portable stage or hall. 

These portable mobile theatres play a vital role in enhancing the social and cultural heritage of a region. In addition, it enhances the regional linguistic aspects. 

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma issued monetary support of Rs 10 lakh each to the producers of 17 mobile theatre groups at a programme.

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CM Sarma took to Twitter and penned, "Mobile theatre plays a pivotal role in enriching the cultural mosaic of Assam. It also helps in facilitating the growth of our socio-cultural, educational & other institutions. Distributed assistance of Rs 10 Lakh to 17 Theatre groups to help them tackle fin hardship due to COVID."

Assam has 22 portable mobile theatre groups approved by the association. In addition, there are about ten non-member groups.

These mobile theatre groups have been necessary for the rural economy. Each group employ 120-150 artists, authors, composers, specialists, and operators mainly from the local villages. Before the pandemic in 2020, the average annual turnover of these groups was ₹25 crore. However, the pandemic severely hit these groups.

The mobile theatres is expected to have dropped nearly 4,000 people. These people have ventured out of Assam for employment or practised different professions for survival.