RITUAL
The Kherai Origins
Historically, the 'entertainment' of the Boro people was inseparable from their religion (Bathouism). The Kherai Puja is the ultimate performance landmark, featuring the Doudini (shamaness) who performs up to 18 different types of dances to the beat of the Kham (drum) and the melody of the Siphung (flute).
FOLK
Early Folk Genres
Before modern stages, there were folk forms like Thakhrifalla (a storytelling form where the narrator moves like a spinning wheel), Phuthula Gaan (traditional puppet theatre used for moral education), and Jatra Gaan (the earliest form of Boro drama, heavily influenced by the wandering opera styles of Bengal and Assam).
MILESTONE
1919: The First Play
Satish Chandra Basumatary wrote Nalabuha, considered the first unpublished Boro play. It was a milestone because it moved the community's stories from oral tradition to a written, scripted format.
PUBLICATION
1925: First Published Play
The first published Boro play, 'Hamphe' by Maniram Islary, was released, marking the beginning of Boro literature in print.
REFORM
1950s: The Reformist Era
This was the 'Budding Age' (Bithorai Yug). Playwrights like Kamal Kumar Brahma used drama as a weapon for social reform, tackling issues like illiteracy and alcohol addiction. His play Gwdan Faichali (1959) is considered the first truly modern Boro play.
CINEMA
1986: Birth of Boro Cinema
The first Boro language film, 'Alayaron', was released. Directed by Jwngdao Bodosa, it won a National Film Award, proving that Boro stories had a place on the national stage.
MUSIC
1990s – Early 2000s: The VCD Era
The rise of the Boro music video industry. These VCDs (Video Compact Discs) became the most popular form of home entertainment, often featuring high-energy Bagurumba folk-fusion beats.
POP CULTURE
2009: The 'Haina Muli' Phenomenon
The release of the comedy film series Haina Muli marked a shift toward contemporary pop culture. It used humor and satire to discuss the political and social struggles of the Bodoland region.
THEATRE
Scale and Production
In the last 20 years, the Boro community has adopted the famous Assamese Mobile Theatre (Bhramyaman) model and made it their own. Groups like Bodoland Theatre and Hengul Theatre travel with massive stages, professional lighting, and sound systems, often performing to crowds of 5,000+ people in remote villages.
ECONOMY
Cultural Impact
These groups are the largest employers of local artists, musicians, and technicians, making the entertainment sector a vital part of the Boro economy.
End of Archive