Mobile theatre legend dies

GUWAHATI: Ratan Lahkar, the man who took the state's mobile (bhramyaman) theatre to new heights, breathed his last on Sunday. The 76-year-old had been suffering from respiratory ailments.
Born in 1940 in Barpeta district's Patshala, the hub of Bhramyaman theatre, Lahkar had been inclined towards the theatrical arts from a young age.
Often described as the architect of modern Assamese mobile theatre, he is credited with introducing visual effects on stage.He also made effective use of props; this was most evident in his adaptation of James Cameron's epic 'Titanic' when he brought on stage a replica of the ill-fated liner's hull.
Lahkar established the Kohinoor Theatre Company in 1976 to make innovative use of technology and story-telling.
He introduced double and triple acting in the mobile theatre genre. Some of his innovations like making a tall actor play the role of a dwarf took the audience by surprise. He is also credited with taking Bhramyaman theatre beyond Assam and giving audiences a taste of Dostoevsky, Sophocles and Shakespeare but without forgetting to stage original Assamese plays.
Lahkar's passing was mourned by many, including governor Banwarilal Purohit. "He enriched the world of mobile theatre with his contribution and his death is an irreparable loss," the governor said.
Bhramyaman star Jatin Bora, who shared a long and fruitful collaboration with Lahkar, said, "This is a great loss for Assamese culture. Lahkar was my guide and mentor. He took Bhramyaman theatre in a new direction."
"What he had accomplished was something different. He was a man of ideas and innovations. He was a pioneer. For the first time in the history of theatre, he presented 'Ben Hur' on stage. He was a brave man who was not deterred by fear of loss," said scriptwriter Abhijit Bhattacharjya.
Lahkar's funeral will be held on Monday with full state honours.