Dwarf theater gets applaud in TV reality show

Pabitra Rabha's amateur theatre group Dapon-The Mirror had recently been showcased in a reality show of Star Plus. The show anchored by Amitabh Bachchan is named ' Aaj ki raat hai zindagi ' The reality is that the performers of the group – once a neglected lot – have now become the cynosure of the eyes of the audience for their talent and conviction.In fact, in this rare venture Rabha raised the troupe involving the dwarves for their unusual body size, and has been training them to perform at the stage and become professional live performers to achieve a better public life. This has also given them a platform to promote culture besides the artistic talent of a negected class. Pabitra Rabha aided a team comprising 40 dwarves from across Assam are part of the worlds only all dwarves theatre group called Dapon.The dwarves are between the age of 6 to 55 years including six women are hopeful today of their future overcoming distress and social stigmas.The Mirror had created an opportunity for them to become self-dependent apart from providing a platform which was contributing towards their empowerment.

Among their many plays the play What to say – a piece of dramatic performance by the dwarves – has become immensely popular in some places. It depicts a dilemma with the confronting question of ‘complete’ and those who are ‘incomplete.’ This drama narrates the melancholy of human dissension, desire, distress, and both physical and mental incapacities. The group had also performed What to say in New Delhi,Kolkatta besides at a few other places that drew huge applause from the audience. Rabha has also created Khil-Khilai, a junior team has been also created as a branch of The Mirror to encourage dwarf children artistes.

It may be mentioned here that Rabha, a resident of Tangla after his postgraduation from Gauhati University, did another postgraduation diploma in Drama from the National School of Drama, New Delhi. He has also performed in King Lear at the Physical Theatre Festival in Tokyo apart from performing in the French film Alexandra Devid Neil, Hindi films like Tango Charlie, Mukhbir, Kaya Taran, Choti and Kannada film Chigurida Kanasu, among others. This apart, Rabha has also participated in several theatre workshops across the country. He is also a singer and composer. The Rhythm of Bordoichila is a unique creation of Rabha in which he used folk tunes of eight north eastern States incorporating 40 folk musical instruments. He has also been conferred The Real Hero award bg Reliance foundation.The musical instrument ‘Prabha’ is his notable creation in folk music and culture.