Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Centre for Studies in Performing Arts (earlier known as Centre for Performing Arts), Dibrugarh University has been established in the year 2008 to impart quality education and research, both theoretically and practically. Besides offering graduate and post-graduate programmes in Theatre Art and Vocal Music, it is the only centre in the entire North-east offering graduate and post-graduate programme in ‘Sattriya Dance’ (a five hundred years old traditional dance form recognized by the Sangeet Natak Academy of India as a classical dance form) for the first time in the country.

The major objectives of the Centre are:

• To introduce the students with major trends of life and culture of the humanity.

• To acquaint the students with the changes in the cultural scenario. To undertake extensive research on various aspects of Indian culture, particularly of the North-East.

• To recognize safeguard to the endangered indigenous culture of the different tribes in the North-East through research.

Chairperson

• Dr. Jyoti Prasad Saikia

Assistant Professors

• Ruplekha Borbora Das
• Jadab Borah
• Mrinal Kr. Baruah
• Bornali Gogoi
• Shrabanika Changmai
• Arun Hazarika
• Tapasi Hajowary
• Goutam Sarmah
• Bornali Sonowal
• Pinak Nandi

Teaching Assistant

• Biraj Chutia
• Mondirashree Kumbhakar

 Accompanist

1. Bikash Saikia (Khol)
2. Binanda Bilash Konwar (Khol)
3. Sasanka Baruah (Tabla)

The Centre offers Ph.D., M.Phil., two-year Post-Graduate and three-year Bachelor’s programmes. The details is as follows:

• B.A. in Performing Arts - 3 years (Six Semesters)- Since 2008-09

• M.A. in Performing Arts, (Sattriya Dance) - 2 years (Four semesters)-Since 2011-12

• M.A. in Performing Arts, (Theatre Art) - 2 years (Four semesters)-Since2012-13

• M.A. in Performing Arts, (Vocal Music) - 2 years (Four semesters)-Since 2013-14

• Ph. D Programme (Sattriya Dance, Theatre Art & Vocal Music)-Since 2015-16

• M. Phil Programme (Sattriya Dance, Theatre Art & Vocal Music)-Since 2016-17

The syllabus of the various programmes is in accordance with the UGC model curriculum syllabus and UGC NET syllabus. The pedagogic approach of the Centre recognizes that a work of Art is not be studied as an object in isolation, apart form the social forces that shape and give it its meaning. The teaching here adopts a multidisciplinary teaching approach, drawing on insights from the fields of literature, anthropology, history, media and cultural studies.
Besides its focus on teaching, the academic programmes of the Centre involve field trips to places of importance where traditional theatre, music and dance are practiced, both inside and outside Assam.
Moreover, the Centre also hosts an active schedule of invited lectures, workshops and performances. And often the Centre is also involved in carrying out varied performances in collaboration with institutions like EZCC, Sangeet Natak Academy, National School of Drama, and so on. Apart from these, the students are often encouraged to organize cultural activities to facilitate and interface between theory and practice.

Name of the Ph.D. Scholars enrolled:

1.Jadab Bora                   -        (Sattriya Dance)
2.Goutam Sarmah        -    (Theatre Art)
3.Kuki Baruah        -    (Sattriya Dance)
4.Nayanmoni Phukan    -    (Sattriya Dance)
5.Sumi Phukan        -    (Vocal Music)

M. Phil. Scholars enrolled: 05

A.Collaboration Chapters

The Centre has collaborated with various National and International bodies from time to time in organizing many programmes and events. The details of these programmes are:

Collaboration with ICSSR, New Delhi:
An International Seminar on ‘The Tradition of Performing Arts and Its Relevance” was organized by the Centre in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi from 23rd – 25th February, 2015. Among the scholars who participated in the Seminar were Tim Dalton, renown Theatre Expert from Paris, Nancy Cormier Boisell from Schoolof Doctoral Studies, Paris University, Prof Robin Das from National School of Drama, OProf. Pradipjyoti Mahanta from Tezpur University, Prof. Prabin Das from Gauhati University, Dr. Mallika Kondali and Sharadi Saikia from Guwahati.

Collaboration with National School of Drama, New Delhi, New Delhi:

• A 7 day long Theatre workshop on ‘Physical approach of actor training’ was successfully organized by the Drama section of the Centre under the supervision of Tim Dalton, an eminent Theatre worker and sculptor, writer from Paris France from 16th to 22nd February, 2015.
•  A month long technical theatre workshop was organized by the Centre from 6th October, 2015 to 4th November, 2015 under the supervision of Camp Director Ms. Rabijita Gogoi, an eminent theatre designer and director. The workshop was conducted by eminent experts of international repute and faculty members from the NSD and other Universities like Prof. Robin Das, Prof. Ashok Sagar Bhagat, S. Manoharan, Senior Sound Technologist, NSD, Rajiv Velicheti, Associate Professor, Dept. of Theatre Arts, University of Hyderabad, R. Nalini Joshi, Costume Designer, Mr. Arun Malik, Mr. Dadul Chaliha and Chatui Chakraborty, Light Designer, NSD.
• Under the direction of Hemanta Rajkonwar the play ‘Behu’ was staged by the students of the Centre in the 9th Poorvottar Festival at Sikkim on 20th September, 2016 organized by National School of Drama, New Delhi.

Collaboration with IEZCC, Govt. of India:
 On 9th July, 2015 the students of the centre participated in the ‘Navodit’-Young Theatre Directors Festival, organized by E.Z.C.C., Govt. of India, at Sivasagar. They performed the play ‘Maha Shunyar Uddyan’, on the basis of the 1st Assamese poetic Novel of the same name written by Dr. Pranjit Bora & directed by Gautam Sarmah, Assistant Professor of the Centre.

Collaboration with Sangit Natak Akademy, New Delhi/Guwahati:

• The ‘Sattriya Sangeet Samaroh’, 2015 was organized by the Centre in collaboration with Sangit Natak Akademy, Sattriya Kendra, Guwahati of Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi from 27th to 29th September, 2015.
• 15 day bhaona workshop was organized on ‘Ram Vijay’- Ankiya Nat which was performed by the Students of M.A. 1st Semester (Theatre Art and Sattriya Dance) from 22nd September, 2016 to 4th October, 2016. The workshop was sponsored by Sangeet Natak Akademy, New Delhi and was directed by Haricharan Bhuyan Borbayan, Sattriya Veteran guru from Uttar Kamalabari Sattra, Majuli.
• Padma Vibhushan Smt. Sonal Mansingh performed her debuted play, Krishna-Katha in a programme organized by Sangeet Natak Akademi, North East Centre in collaboration with the Centre on 27.10.2016.

Collaboration with Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi:

The Centre also collaborated with Sahitya Akademi for the programme Loka: the Many Voices held on 18.12.2016 at Dibrugarh University, where Moran Kulaburhi Dance, Moran Janja Nritya and Moran Bihu were performed by the artists from greater Tinsukia. Besides, a Special Lecture was delivered on 10th February, 2015 by Shruti Bandhupadhya of Jadavpur University, West Bengal on the topic ‘Aesthetic on Indian Classical Dance’.

B.Consultancy Chapters:

• The Students participated in the 23rd Annual General Meeting of Numaligarh Refinery Ltd held on 9th September, 2016 at Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok, Guwahati.
•  The Students participated in the programme organized by Numaligarh Refinery Ltd on the occasion of Numaligarh Refinary Day Celebration  held on 22.04.2016.

C.Students’ Participation/achievements in Inter-University (National/AIU) Programmes) and others:

• The Students representing Dibrugarh University participated in the 31st Inter University East-Zone Youth Festival (Brahmaputra Mahotsav), 2016 held at Tezpur University, Tezpur from 3rd to 7th January, 2016, and Kaushik Kr. Handique was awarded as the First position in Classical Dance (Solo) and The Drama-group was also awarded the Best Drama Group.

• The students representing Dibrugarh University participated in the 31st Inter University National Youth Festival (Yuva Shatha Sambhrama), 2016 held at Mysore University, Mysore from 15th to 19th February, 2016 and Kaushik Kr. Handique was awarded the First position in Classical Dance (Solo).

• Mr. Kaushik Kr. Handique has qualified for the first time to enter in the International Inter University Youth Festival (South Asia Inter University Youth Festival) to be held on 2017.

• Two Students of Theatre Art of the Centre namely Lengdon Handique (2nd Semester) and Malaya Baruah (4th Semester) awarded with the best upcoming Director Award in the Short Film competition organized by the ‘PRAG Channel’ on the occasion of ‘PRAG CINE AWARD’  North-East held on 21st & 22nd March, 2015 at Chowkidingee, Dibrugarh.

• The students of the Centre performed Sattriya Dance at Jadavpur University, Kolkata organized by Sadhana Music Circle on 30th September, 2014.