BHAONA

Context: More than five centuries after saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva created Bhaona, a dramatic form of entertainment to convey spiritualism in the Vaishnav mould, the Congress in Assam has tweaked it for a political statement against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens.

Bhaona  

• It is a traditional form of entertainment, with religious messages, prevalent is Assam, India.
• It is a creation of Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardeva, written in the early sixteenth century.
• The plays of bhaona are popularly known as Ankiya Nats and their staging is known as bhaona.
• Bhaona is generally staged at xatras and namghars in Assam.
• There are some special characteristics of Bhaona like the plays, dialogues, costumes, ornaments, entry and foot-steps of the characters. These characteristics helps to differentiate Bhaona from other plays.
• The bhaonas are written in the Assamese and Brajavali languages.

https://www.thehindu.com/elections/assam-assembly/cong-tweaks-bhaona-in-assam/article34078494.ece