Guwahati : The National Seminar and Cultural Festival 2026, organised by Surojit Academy in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, from 30 September to 3 October in Guwahati, concluded successfully with the aim of exploring and celebrating, from a new perspective, the knowledge and consciousness embedded in India’s knowledge traditions, cultural heritage and performing arts.

Centred on the theme “Exploring Bharatiya Vidya Through the Lens of Performing Arts,” the four-day event witnessed enthusiastic participation from researchers, artists, litterateurs, academicians, cultural practitioners and students of universities and colleges from Assam as well as different parts of the country. The enthusiastic participation and presence of the delegates added a special dimension to the seminar and cultural programmes.

The event was based on the central idea that India’s knowledge traditions are not confined merely to books, scriptures or written knowledge; rather, they are deeply preserved in folk life, music, dance, theatre, puppetry, storytelling, traditional practices and various forms of traditional performing arts. Discussions and exchanges were held on several important subjects based on this perspective.

Speakers emphasised the need to view performing arts not merely as a means of entertainment, but also as a powerful medium for the preservation of knowledge, education, cultural identity, continuity of heritage and social connectivity.

The National Seminar held on 30 September and 1 October at West Guwahati College of Education witnessed the participation of eminent resource persons from various fields. On the first day, Dr. Mrinal Bora, Former Registrar, Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva University, Assam, attended as the Chief Guest. The resource persons included Chabin Rajkhowa, Former Secretary, Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra; Dr. Mallika Kandali, Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee; and Dr. Ashim Borah, Research Officer, Tribal Research Institute, Government of Assam.

On the second day, Prabhitanshu Das, Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee; Sumanth Manjunath, internationally acclaimed musician from Mysuru, Karnataka; and Himanshu Sharma, recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, participated as resource persons.

The active participation of researchers, teachers, artists, litterateurs and university and college students created a vibrant atmosphere of dialogue and exchange on various dimensions of Bharatiya Vidya and performing arts.

On 2 October, the cultural evening held at the Dr. Banikanta Kakati Auditorium, Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, featured puppetry, violin music and theatre performances that greatly attracted the audience. Dr. Amalendu Chakraborty, Former Vice-Chancellor of Rabindranath Tagore University, attended the programme as the Chief Guest and formally inaugurated the cultural evening.

A puppet theatre production titled “Rani Lakshmibai”, presented by Tripura Puppet Theatre and directed by Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Prabhitanshu Das, was staged. The production presented a captivating portrayal of history, valour and patriotism before the audience.

This was followed by a violin recital by Shri Sumanth Manjunath, an internationally acclaimed musician from Mysuru, Karnataka, which enthralled the audience.

Another major attraction of the evening was Surojit Academy’s theatre production “Swadhinatar Jyoti” (The Light of Freedom). Based on the life, courage, patriotism and sacrifice of freedom fighter Bhogeswari Phukanani, the play was written and directed by Simanta Sarma. The assistant directors were Swapan Das, Binita Devi and Hemen Senapati.

The cast included Karismita Talukdar, Kristi Rajbongshi, Dhruba Jyoti Kalita, Palak Koiri, Aritrika Baruah, Jeet Shaha, Trishna Kalita, Ariya Zibran, Liyana Dev, Hardik Sarma, Swapan Das and Hemen Senapati.

On 3 October, the concluding programme was held at the same auditorium, featuring “Bor Dhuliya”, presented by Bor Dhuliya Dal, Nij Sipajhar, Tuapara, Sipajhar, Assam, and directed by Bhavendra Nath.

This was followed by the staging of “Kadwa Sach” by Abhinav Theatre, Lakhimpur, directed by Dayal Krishna Nath. The play featured Ravi Ranjan Kumar, Dakshina Nath, Ravi Verma, Manoj Kumar, Dayal Krishna Nath and Karuna Krishna Nath.

The four-day National Seminar and Cultural Festival brought together the multidimensional scope of Bharatiya Vidya and its deep relationship with performing arts on a common platform.

In particular, the thoughtful deliberations of researchers and academicians, the participation of artists and litterateurs, the active presence of university and college students, and the presentation of various traditional performing arts transformed the event into a vibrant, multidimensional cultural and intellectual platform.

One of the key objectives of the event was to take India’s knowledge traditions and cultural heritage to the younger generation, promote and preserve traditional art forms, and establish a living connection between art and knowledge.

The initiative of Surojit Academy assumes special significance as a meaningful endeavour to present Bharatiya Vidya, heritage and cultural identity to the younger generation from a fresh perspective through the medium of performing arts.