Guwahati, Oct 26: The fourth edition of the Bhullung-Bhuthur International Theatre Festival 2026 began in Guwahati on Sunday.
Organised by AANK_A Creative Line in association with the Bodousa Foundation, the five-day festival will continue until October 29 at the Sri Sri Madhavadeva International Auditorium, Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati.
The festival is being held under the direction of Festival Director Dr Mrinal Jyoti Goswami, with participation from theatre groups representing Poland, Sri Lanka, the United States of America and India, a press release stated.
The festival features a diverse range of programmes, including theatrical performances, a physical theatre workshop, a workshop on environmental sensitivity, book releases, digital software launches, a theatre forum and musical presentations.
Polish actor and director Krzysztof Rogacewicz attended the inaugural programme as the chief guest and inaugurated the souvenir of the festival Theatre Mosaic2026.
Asomor Samaj Jibon Aru Natak, authored by Dr Mrinal Jyoti Goswami, and Asomor Natyakala: Parampara Aru Paribartan co-authored by Dr Mrinal Jyoti Goswami and Dr Junmoni Gogoi, were released on the occasion. The books are digitally inaugurated by professor Dr Pradipjyoti Mahanta.
As part of the programme, Kalpavriksha presented ‘Paramaleela’, a Sattriya dance presentation choreographed by Dr Anwesa Mahanta.
Another significant highlight of the festival was the launch of eight free digital applications designed and developed by Dr Mrinal Jyoti Goswami on behalf of AANK_A Creative Line.
These include ‘Xunpakhili’, a theatre lighting design and control application, dedicated to Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala; ‘Silpa Kutir’, also known as Jadumoni’s Craft Studio, designed to assist in planning and creating stage sets, props, costumes, masks and models and is dedicated to Ningombam Jadumani Singh.
The renowned master stage craftsman from Manipur and recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2020; ‘Xudhakantha’, a digital notebook for theatre directors, commemorates the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika; ‘Aarohan 2.0’, a screenwriting and production application for Assamese cinema, is dedicated to noted, artiste, writer and filmmaker Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia; ‘Burha Luit’ is designed for controlling multimedia cues and displays during stage performances; ‘Srinibaran’, a play-blocking tool, is dedicated to eminent theatre personalities Arun Sarma and Kulada Kumar Bhattacharjee; ‘Pradip’, a research methodology studio for Assamese research, pays tribute to Professor Dr Pradipjyoti Mahanta; ‘Kumsung’, a theatre, film and performance archive, is dedicated to Bina Prova Doley Goswami and Devalota Gogoi.
The theatrical productions featured in the festival include Hriday Bhangaar Gaan from India; When It Hurts You Play from the United States; Giri Devi – Section 364A, The Dark Memory, Unknown Writer and Black, White & Colors from Sri Lanka; and Kontrabasista from Poland.
The Colombo International Theatre Festival is the international festival partner of this festival, the release added.