Bhattadev University to Honor Assam Theatre Legend Krishna Roy with Inaugural Honorary Doctorate
PEOPLE OF ASSAM / Krishna Roy
Bhattadev University to Honor Assam Theatre Legend Krishna Roy with Inaugural Honorary Doctorate
PEOPLE OF ASSAM
ANJAN SARMA
Pathsala, Assam – March 26, 2025:
Bhattadev University, a burgeoning academic institution in Pathsala, Assam, converted from once known as the prestigious Bajali College, will etch its name in history on March 29, 2025, by conferring its inaugural honorary doctorate to Sri Krishna Roy, a colossus of Assam’s mobile theatre tradition.
Celebrated as the founder of Awahan Theatre and co-founder of the iconic Kohinoor Theatre, Roy’s recognition marks a milestone for the university—elevated just a few years ago from its roots as a renowned college—and underscores the profound interplay between education and the arts in preserving Assam’s cultural soul.
Sri Krishna Roy’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Assam’s mobile theatre, a vibrant art form that fuses drama, music, and social narrative to captivate audiences across the state’s rural heartlands and urban centers. As the visionary behind Awahan Theatre, Roy redefined the genre, crafting productions that blended entertainment with incisive commentary, earning him widespread acclaim and a lasting place in Assamese culture.
His co-founding of Kohinoor Theatre further solidified his influence, transforming it into a powerhouse of creativity and professionalism that set a gold standard for mobile theatre troupes. With elaborate staging and compelling storytelling, Kohinoor became a cultural juggernaut, drawing massive crowds and inspiring a generation of artists. “Theatre is Assam’s mirror and its voice,” Roy has said, a credo reflected in his decades of work that have sustained and elevated this unique tradition.
His career has not only entertained millions but also provided livelihoods to hundred—actors, musicians, writers, and crew—making him a cornerstone of Assam’s cultural economy. Now, as he approaches the twilight of his journey, this honorary doctorate stands as a fitting tribute to a man whose stages have shaped the state’s identity.
Bhattadev University’s decision to honor Roy is a testament to its own evolving legacy. Originally established as Bajali College in 1955, the institution earned a reputation as a bastion of higher education in Assam’s Bajali district, serving generations of students with distinction.
A few years ago, in 2017, it was upgraded to university status under the Assam government’s initiative to expand access to advanced learning, adopting the name of Sri Sri Bhattadev, a 17th-century Assamese scholar and literary pioneer.
This transition from a celebrated college to a dynamic university reflects a commitment to academic excellence and cultural stewardship—a mission crystallized in its choice to award its first honorary doctorate to Roy. “Sri Krishna Roy’s work embodies the spirit of Assam—creative, resilient, and rooted in community,” a university spokesperson said. “We are proud to celebrate him as we build on our own history.”
The ceremony, slated for March 29 at the Pathsala campus, is expected to draw a diverse assembly of state officials, theatre luminaries, and admirers eager to witness this historic moment. For Assam, where mobile theatre remains a rare artistic tradition thriving against the tide of global digitalization, Roy’s recognition reaffirms its vitality—and his foundational role in its endurance.
This honor resonates beyond Assam’s borders, spotlighting a broader need in India to formally acknowledge cultural trailblazers. While mobile theatre sustains an estimated 20,000 jobs and attracts millions of spectators annually, its architects like Roy often go unrecognized by mainstream institutions. Bhattadev University’s gesture could inspire a national shift, urging academic bodies to celebrate those who shape identity through art.
For Roy, the award is both a personal triumph and a victory for Assam’s theatre community.
From humble beginnings to co-founding Kohinoor, launching Awahan, his life mirrors Assam’s narrative of grit and pride. As Bhattadev University—once Bajali College—prepares to confer this distinction, the occasion transcends ceremony: it’s a celebration of a man who gave Assam its stage in a different style , a nod to an institution embracing its cultural roots, and a clarion call to safeguard the arts that define a people.
Mahabahu.com is an Online Magazine with collection of premium Assamese and English articles and posts with cultural base and modern thinking. You can send your articles to editor@mahabahu.com / editor@mahabahoo.com(For Assamese article, Unicode font is necessary) Images from different sources.
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