Aabaha Art and Theater Festival spotlights cultural heritage

Over the course of three days, the festival brought together theater groups from across the country, offering a platform for Indian immigrants to connect with their roots while engaging with the broader community.

Aabaha Natok / Image- Aabaha.Inc

Plays, cultural exchanges, and artistic exhibitions that reflected the rich heritage of the Indian diaspora in the United States were part of the Aabaha Art and Theater Festival 2024, which concluded on Aug. 11.

Aabaha Natok / Image- Aabaha.Inc

Over the course of three days, the festival brought together theater groups from across the country, offering a platform for Indian immigrants to connect with their roots while engaging with the broader community. The festival began on Saturday, Aug.10, with an opening ceremony steeped in Indian tradition, including the blowing of conches and floral offerings.

Aabaha Natok / Image- Aabaha.Inc

Among the distinguished guests were Mayor Brandon Hembree of Sugar Hill and Indian Consul Madan Kumar Ghildiyal. In his address, Aabaha founder Kallol Nandi emphasized the festival’s mission to create a cultural bridge not only for Indian immigrants but also for other communities.

"Aabaha aims to be a platform for cultural exchange that transcends boundaries," he said, announcing plans to feature American and non-English, non-Indian plays in future editions.

Saturday’s events included the presentation of the Aabaha Samman Award to Dr. Raktim Sen, recognizing his contributions to Indian theater. The day also saw performances of "Rangamati (Wretched Land)" by Aabaha, "Kouto (The Box)" by Atlanta Theater Workshop, and "Harappa House" by Dhoop Chaoon Hindi Theater Group, each followed by interactive Q&A sessions that allowed audiences to delve into the narratives and artistic techniques.

On day 2, the festival continued with four more plays, including "Ekti (Aw) Shamanyo Ghotona" by ENAD, "Tritiyo Noyon (Third Eye)" by Chicago Natyogoshthi, "Ordhek Mahadesher Khonje (Seeking Half a Continent)" by Kushilob, and "Bonolota" by Abhinayam. The day also featured the launch of two books—"Tarpan" by Kalpana Banerjee and "Golpo Holeo Parto" by Manas Das—adding a literary dimension to the event.

A highlight of the festival was the exhibition "75 Years of Indian Theater," presented by Natya Shodh Sansthan, India, marking its first appearance in the United States. Local artists also contributed to the event with displays of paintings and pottery, further enriching the cultural experience.